(Minghui.org) Two Falun Gong practitioners appealed their five-year prison sentences, which were handed down by the Dumeng County Court in Daqing City for handing out pamphlets about Falun Gong.
In the appeals submitted to the Daqing Intermediate Court on February 5, 2018, the two practitioners reiterated their defense argument that no law in China ever criminalized Falun Gong. They noted that it was their constitutional right to pass out information about their persecuted faith.
They also shared their personal stories of how Falun Gong helped them improve their health and character.
The practitioners hoped the judges in the higher court could understand the facts about Falun Gong, not be influenced by the slanderous propaganda spread by the government, and make a righteous and just choice based on their conscience.
The two practitioners, Ms. Shi Jing and Ms. Shao Ying, both 47, were arrested on April 2, 2017, and have been detained at Daqing Detention Center since.
Dumeng County Court tried them on September 8, 2017. Only one relative from each family was allowed to attend the hearing, while government officials took up all the remaining seats. The practitioners' lawyers made not-guilty defense pleas for them.
The two women were sentenced to five years of imprisonment and fined 10,000 yuan on December 1, 2018, with the charge of “using a cult to undermine law enforcement.” This baseless charge is a standard pretext used by the Chinese communist regime in its attempt to frame and imprison Falun Gong practitioners. Both decided to file an appeal as soon as their verdicts were announced.
Excerpts from Ms. Shao Ying's Defense
“I was born with an angioma on my palm. I had to be very careful because any injury might cause life-threatening bleeding. As I often got sick, my parents spoiled me and protected me from any harm. I became very self-centered and would start a fight with anyone if they infringed upon my interest.
“After my mother passed away, I took possession of all her expensive jewelry and would not let my brother have his share.
“Practicing Falun Gong, however, completely changed me. I became healthy and happy. I learned to be considerate. I no longer lost my temper and even stopped fighting back even if others took advantage of me. I shared my mother's jewelry with my brother.”
Ms. Shao also described an incident in the detention center in which she recovered from a herniated disc in one day.
“I had been detained at the detention center following my arrest. It was very cold and damp. The guards forbade me from doing the Falun Gong exercises. In just two months, I began to suffer some heart problems and a herniated disc.
“Because of the extreme pain in my lower back, I was unable to move and was almost paralyzed. I was carried out of the procuratorate office on a stretcher after a pre-trial hearing.
“The pain lasted for more than a month. My left leg began to atrophy. I was unable to sleep. No matter how hard it was, I knew I couldn't give up. I recited Falun Gong's teachings in my heart and also asked my Teacher for help.
“One night, I felt water flowing in my left leg and I was able to stand. The next day, while I was taking a nap after lunch, a current of powerful warmth streamed through my body. I felt very comfortable and my lower back pain was mostly alleviated. I returned to normal very soon.
“Without any medication, Falun Gong is the only explanation for my magical recovery. When my lawyer later visited me, he was so surprised to see me walk by myself.”
Ms. Shi Jing: Trustworthy Employee and Good Daughter
Ms. Shi Jing recounted in her defense how Falun Gong enabled her to be at peace with her job. She has a bachelor’s degree but was assigned to be a cafeteria worker (college graduates in China were assigned jobs at the time). Instead of complaining about the job, she did her best with every task given to her. Her boss commented that she was a most trustworthy employee.
Ms. Shi also credits Falun Gong for giving her strength to care for her bedridden parents for decades before their passing. Her mother once said to her, “How can I ever repay you?”
She replied, “I’m just doing what a daughter is supposed to do.” Her relatives and friends were initially opposed to her continued practice of Falun Gong when the persecution began in 1999, but they changed their attitude when they witnessed the love and patience she gave her parents. They commented that she was nothing like what was depicted on TV by the Chinese communist regime.
Perpetrators' contact information:
Chen Hao (陈浩), judge, Daqing Intermediate Court: +86-459-6829158, +86-15304860196Zhao Yan (赵岩), president, Dumeng County Court: +86-13936700163 Zhao Meina (赵美娜), judge, Dumeng County Court: +86-459-3432508, +86-15164585757Kan Bo (阚波), prosecutor: +86-13359590906Zhao Xingcai (赵兴才), head of Dumeng County Domestic Securit Division: +86-18645902000, +86-13836730005
Previous reports:Two Heilongjiang Women Sentenced to Prison for Their FaithCourt Obstructs Family, Friends and Attorneys from Attending Trial of Falun Gong PractitionersFamily Members and Attorneys Harassed at Trial of Falun Gong PractitionerMs. Shi Jing Arrested and Taken to the Qinglongshan Brainwashing CenterFalun Gong Practitioner Arrested for Having “Too Much Traffic at Your Home”The Persecution of Practitioner Shi Jing in Daqing Detention Center
