(Minghui.org) Two Fengcheng Town residents were tried by the Jimo City Court on December 21, 2016, for hanging up Falun Gong informational banners.

Mr. Li Taoyuan, 50, and Mr. Wang Jijing, 67, were charged with “using a cult organization to undermine law enforcement,” a common charge used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to imprison Falun Gong practitioners in its persecution of the spiritual practice.

The prosecutor used the Falun Gong books and truth-clarification materials that were taken from their homes as evidence.

Mr. Li's attorney pleaded not guilty on his behalf. He pointed out that the charges have no legal basis and what Mr. Li did is not a crime. Mr. Li and Mr. Wang also said that they did not commit any crimes.

The trial was held at the Pudong Detention Center. The court only allowed one family member to attend the hearing.

Both residents were arrested by plainclothes officers from the Jimo City 610 Office, the Jimo Domestic Security Division, and the Fengcheng Town Police Station on July 28, 2016. The police ransacked their homes.

Mr. Li's 86-year-old father witnessed the arrest and was traumatized. His health deteriorated, and he passed away on September 18. Mr. Li was not allowed to attend his father’s funeral.