(Minghui.org) The presiding judge in the trial of a Falun Gong practitioner has been removed from the case, after the defendant and her lawyer filed complaints accusing him of failing to remain impartial and violating legal procedures.
Ms. Wu Guimin, a 61-year-old resident from Yi County, was tried on March 30 of this year for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.
Her lawyer Mr. Li Zhongwei was repeatedly interrupted by the prosecutor when it was his turn to present defense arguments. Judge Du Qiguo not only refused to stop the prosecutor, but also ordered Mr. Li removed from the courtroom.
Mr. Li filed a complaint against judge Du for trampling upon his right to represent his client. Ms. Wu followed up by filing her separate complaint, accusing the judge of violating legal procedures and denying her a fair trial.
The local court recently announced that Du has been recused from the case and a new trial with a different judge is set for May 16.
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