(Minghui.org) A Puning City woman tried for her faith was assaulted by court bailiffs when she protested the judge’s use of a statement from an extralegal agency as evidence against her.
Ms. Yang Fengtao, 53, was arrested on October 13, 2015 for producing and distributing DVDs containing information about the Chinese communist regime’s persecution of Falun Gong.
During the trial on July 5 of this year, the prosecutor used DVDs confiscated from her home as evidence against her. The indictment also cited a statement issued by the local 610 Office labeling such DVDs unlawful items.
Ms. Yang’s lawyer rebutted that the 610 Office statement provided no legal ground to prosecute his client, as it is an extra-legal agency tasked with eradicating Falun Gong.
He further emphasized that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong, so his client had every right to publicize the fact that the persecution is wrong from the onset. He demanded acquittal of Ms. Yang, who also defended her innocence.
The judge, however, ruled that the 610 Office statement was sufficient evidence to prove Ms. Yang’s alleged crime. He rejected her request to have the DVDs played in the courtroom and adjourned the hearing.
As a protest, Ms. Yang refused to be led away, only to be punched and kicked by a group of court bailiffs.
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