(Minghui.org) An incapacitated woman was forced to stand trial together with three other defendants arrested at the same time as her, after they were reported for distributing information about Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.
Ms. Li Youju’s lawyer had filed multiple requests for her medical parole prior to the trial on December 1, but judge Guan Feng repeatedly denied the requests.
Ms. Li and her co-defendants, all Qinglong County residents, were arrested on June 16, 2016 while passing out Falun Gong materials in neighboring Chengde City.
Their defense lawyers argued that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong and that the four practitioners should never have been prosecuted for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of belief and freedom of the press.
Judge Threatens to Remove Son for Crying Over Mother’s Condition
Ms. Li had several fainting episodes and was rushed to the ER after her arrest. The detention center submitted her medical documents to judge Guan Feng on November 11. Her lawyer followed up by filing a request for medical parole on the same day. Judge Guan, however, denied the request.
The lawyer tried a few more times but was turned down each time.
Ms. Li had become incontinent and unable to walk by the time she was ordered to stand trial. Two bailiffs carried her into the courtroom. They had to fasten her to a chair, as she couldn’t sit upright.
She soiled her pants midway through the trial. She became agitated and refused to sit after being taken to the bathroom for a diaper change. Her son laid her down on a bench and rested her head on his leg.
Looking at his frail mom, the young man couldn’t help but cry. Judge Guan threatened to remove him from the courtroom.
Recusal Requests Rejected
Ms. Chen Lixin requested Judge Guan be recused when he asked the practitioners at the beginning of the hearing if they had anything to say. She argued that Guan was unfit to try her for her faith, as he was a Chinese Communist Party member and an atheist.
Ms. Du Fengqin’s lawyer followed up by requesting the prosecutor be recused for the same reason.
The judge recessed the hearing for three minutes. When he resumed the session, he announced that anyone who brought up the recusal topic again would be removed from the courtroom.
Ms. Du’s lawyer insisted that the prosecutor be recused, and the judge ordered two bailiffs to toss him out. Ms. Du’s brother stood up to stop the bailiffs, “He’s our lawyer and I’m not going to allow you to remove him for no valid reason!”
The judge relented and signaled to proceed with the hearing.
Lawyers Demand Acquittal
The lawyers defended the practitioner’s innocence and refuted the prosecution evidence. They challenged the prosecutor to produce the said witness who allegedly gave evidence against the practitioners.
Ms. Chen, Ms. Du, and Ms. Yang Lixin also testified in their own defense. They all credited Falun Gong for returning them to health and giving them a more fulfilling life. They felt compelled to tell people that the persecution is wrong.
The judge adjourned the hearing without issuing a verdict. The four practitioners were brought back to Chengde City Detention Center.
