(Minghui.org) After a disabled woman was secretly sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment, her family members appealed to the local intermediate court. But within two weeks, a decision was again made in secrecy to uphold the original verdict, without a trial or notifying the family members.
Ms. Zhu Ya, 54, is a Falun Gong practitioner from Huangpi District, Wuhan City. Her attorney told family members that the appeal had been submitted to the Wuhan Intermediate Court and it usually takes more than two months to process. When her family went to visit her in the detention center on September 19, however, they were told that she had been sent to Wuhan Women's Prison on September 12.
Ms. Zhu Ya's husband passed away a long time ago and she lives with her daughter. Police went to her home on April 25, 2018, and arrested her. Officers sent her to the Qianchuan Police Station and then ransacked her home. Later that day, she was transferred to the Wuhan First Women's Labor Camp and treated as a felon.
A trial took place at the Huangpi District Court on June 15. Ms. Zhu's attorney defended her and refuted accusations by the prosecutor. Specifically, Ms. Zhu did not have the intention or do anything that undermines the enforcement of law, as the prosecutor claimed. Evidence presented in the court was irrelevant to the accusation.
Ms. Zhu also spoke in her own defense. Before practicing Falun Gong, her disabled left leg needed support from her left hand to move forward. After practicing Falun Gong, her leg improved significantly. Her kidney disease was also cured, making her healthier than ever.
The court secretly sentenced her in July to 8 years of imprisonment, plus a fine of 20,000 yuan.
The 7th CISM Military World Games will be held in Wuhan from October 15-30 of 2019. In preparation for the Games, Wuhan officials at various levels, as well as the 610 Office, have intensified the suppression of Falun Gong practitioners.
In addition to Ms. Zhu, many other local practitioners have also been targeted in the past few months.
Ms. Tong Julan, 76, was arrested at home on February 28, 2018, and her case was recently transferred to the Xinzhou District Court for trial.
Ms. Hou Mila and four other practitioners were arrested on April 19, 2018. Her home was ransacked and family members were monitored. Four days later, Ms. Cai Manyi and her husband were both arrested.
Ms. Zhou Mingli, a practitioner in her late 60's, was arrested on April 24 and recently sent to the Ertouwan Brainwashing Center.
Ms. Wu Bilin, 69, was arrested at home on May 23, and her case was forwarded to Hanyang District in early July.
Several elderly practitioners were arrested on June 2 near Zhongshan Park. Ms. Wang Chunhong was arrested while on her way to work. Her home was ransacked shortly afterward. She managed to escape and is now living away from home to avoid arrest.
Because some of the Military World Games events will take place in Jiangxia, the 610 Office has been trying to pressure local practitioners to attend brainwashing sessions.
Related Report:Disabled Woman Sentenced to Eight Years for Not Giving Up Her Faith
Related Article in Chinese:二零一八年四月三十日大陆综合消息