(Minghui.org) Three practitioners were illegally sentenced at the Wusu City Court in Xinjiang on July 7, 2014.
Ms. Ma Chengying, Mr. Yang Wanjun and Mr. Zhang Chengjun were sentenced to six-and-a-half years, five years and three-and-a-half years respectively for practicing Falun Gong.
Police Arrest Practitioners and Ransack Their Homes
Mr. Zhang was arrested on his farm on October 8, 2013, and the police ransacked his home. Mr. Yang and Ms. Ma, a newlywed couple, were arrested the following day. Police ransacked the couple’s home and confiscated their computers, Dafa books and other materials. Their families were not allowed to visit them.
The police didn't provide arrest warrants to the practitioners' families, even after detaining them for at least one month. Their families hired lawyers, but the police refused the lawyers' request to meet with their clients. They were only allowed to see them near the trial date. Mr. Yang and Ms. Ma told their lawyer that the police slapped their faces, beat them and forced them to sign some documents.
Trial Dates Changed Four Times
The trial date was initially set for February 20, 2014, but was then changed to March 6, and then to July 10. But on June 27, the court sent out a notice to the practitioners' families, informing them that the trial date would be the next day, June 28.
The practitioners' family members asked the court to postpone the trial so that they could notify their lawyers. However, the court refused. Both lawyers from Beijing were not able to make it on such short notice.
It was supposed to be an open trial, but only three relatives per family were allowed to sit in the courtroom. The remaining 70 seats were occupied by police and other security personnel.
Ms. Ma defended herself and informed the court that there is no existing Chinese law that forbids one to practice Falun Gong.
After the trial, the three practitioners were taken to Kaigan Banner near Kuitun City.
Parties involved in the persecution:
Mayishan-Zhahepaer, mayor of Wusu City: 86-992-8501819Li Guangze, deputy mayor of Wusu City: 86-992-8510569
Wusu City Political and Legal Affairs Committee: 86-992-8516311Tang Zhaolong, officer from the local 610 Office: 86-13899377828Qing Chunsheng, officer from the local 610 Office: 86-13899377828
Wusu City Detention Center: 86-992-8502584Wang Yongyi, director of the Wusu City Detention Center: 86-18999718226
Wusu City Police Department: 86-992-8502322; 86-992-8502584
