(Minghui.org) “You just say yes or no to the presented evidence and that is all that you are allowed to say in your defense,” said a judge responsible for a trial at the Huantai County Court.
The second trial against the five Falun Gong practitioners was held on June 5, 2015 at the Huantai County Court in Zibo City. The first trial was held on April 29.
Ms. Zhang Yuzhen's family gave into the threats from the local authorities and dropped their original lawyer after the April hearing. Ms. Zhang agreed to use a court-appointed lawyer, who then followed the order to enter a guilty plea for her.
The other four practitioners Mr. Dai Dongwu, Ms. Gong Junling, Ms. Wei Qirong and Ms. Sun Liju pleaded not guilty.
Mr. Dai Dongwu's lawyer pointed out that China's Constitution protects the freedom of belief and speech. As the banning of Falun Gong is based on administrative regulations, rather than on established law, it is illegal.
The judge buried his face in a stack of documents during the lawyer's speech, and said, “All that you said is irrelevant to the defense you are supposed to provide.”
Illegal Handling of Court Procedures
“This is not an issue to be discussed today. You only defend yourself against the presented evidence that you are charged with,” said the judge to Mr. Dai after he spoke in his defense and said, “Falun Gong has never been officially banned by authorities.”
When Mr. Dai told of torture while detained, including that the police covered his head with a steel bucket and pounded it for a long time, as well as being deprived of sleep, the judge and the prosecutor interrupted him.
Neither of the practitioners could bring up the torture they experienced while in detention. “You just say yes or no to the presented evidence and that is all that you are allowed to say in your defense,” said the judge.
The judge did not allow into the proceeding that the evidence has been fabricated. However, the prosecutor's statement that the evidence was authentic was allowed into the court record.
The judge adjourned the two-hour court session without a verdict.
Participants in the persecution of the five practitioners:Huantai County Police Department: +86-533-8180265 (Office), +86-533-2139311 (Office)Yue Yang (岳阳), prosecutor of the Huantai County Procuratorate: +86-533-3012834 (Office)Huantai County 610 Office: +86-533-8267610 (Office)Gong Yibing (巩义兵), chief of the Huantai County Domestic Security Group: +86-13325207979 (Mobile), +86-13325208989 (Mobile)Huaitai County court: +86-533-8262014 (Office)
Related report:Judge Ignores Police Brutality and Fabricated Evidence, Keeps Falun Gong Practitioners in Detention
