(Minghui.org) A Chongqing resident appeared in court for the second time to face charges that he “used a cult to undermine law enforcement,” a standard pretext used by the Chinese communist regime in its attempt to frame and imprison Falun Gong practitioners.
Mr. Zhang Jun was arrested on May 24, 2016 for talking to people about Falun Gong. His lawyer argued that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong and that his client should never have been prosecuted for exercising his constitutional right to freedom of belief.
The prosecutor couldn’t specify which law Mr. Zhang had broken, and admitted, “We don’t have any evidence or find any statute that says Falun Gong is a cult.” The prosecutor’s words were recorded in the court proceedings bearing his signature.
Mr. Zhang first appeared in court on October 26, where the same prosecutor produced only some photos of the alleged prosecution evidence, without presenting any real items as required by law. The judge stopped the hearing upon the defense lawyer’s protest.
The prosecutor showed up at the second hearing on December 23 with some items confiscated from Mr. Zhang’s residence following his arrest. The defense lawyer argued that the law stipulates that SD cards and flash drives cannot be used as evidence because their contents can easily be adulterated. He also pointed out that the Falun Gong materials confiscated caused no harm to anyone or society at large, let alone undermined law enforcement.
The lawyer demanded an acquittal of his client, but the judge adjourned the second hearing without issuing a verdict.
Mr. Zhang, who started practicing Falun Gong one year ago, remains at Ba’nan District Detention Center.
