(Minghui.org) Three Falun Gong practitioners in Qingdao City were tried by the Shinan District Court on December 19, charged with hanging up posters about Falun Gong.

Ms. Zhang Hongru, Ms. Li Xiujun, and Ms. Wang Jin were arrested on May 9, 2016. They have been held at the Qingdao City No. 2 Detention Center.

Under pressure from his superiors, the judge only allowed one family member of each practitioner to attend the hearing. He told one of the defense attorneys, “We don't make the decisions. We have to report to upper-level officials.”

One of the attorneys told the judge that he was being pressured by the Justice Bureau because he accepted a Falun Gong practitioner's case. The judge was surprised and said, “Why wouldn't they allow a defense? Even murder cases are defended.”

The trial lasted for more than one hour. The three attorneys defended their clients from different angles.

Ms. Wang's attorney argued that having a religious belief is legal and thus the charges have no legal basis.

Ms. Zhang's attorney pointed out the conflict in the evidence and that the evidence was obtained by violating Procedural Law. He noted that the evidence was fabricated and as such is illegal.

At the end of their defense, the attorneys asked the judge to side with justice.

The three practitioners also told the court that Falun Gong is a moral and upright practice and gave examples of how they benefited from the practice.