(Minghui.org) A Fengtai District resident was tried on August 23 for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Ms. Yang Chunxiu’s lawyers argued that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong and that their client should never have been prosecuted for exercising her constitutional right to freedom of belief.

Ms. Yang, 64, testified against the police. She said, “The police pried open my door and broke in. They beat me so hard that my face turned blue. They ransacked my home and confiscated my valuables, all without showing a search warrant or leaving me with a list of confiscated items. They kept me in a metal cage after taking me to the police station.”

The lawyers also questioned the validity of the prosecution evidence. The presiding judge acknowledged the lack of sufficient evidence and announced that a second hearing would be held at a later date.

Ms. Yang and her lawyers were shocked when the court suddenly announced a 4-year prison sentence on December 19. There was no reason given as to why the promised second hearing never materialized.

Ms. Yang's latest arrest was preceded by four previous arrests, all targeting her for her faith.