(Minghui.org) Mr. Li Quangui was sentenced to four years in prison by the Anyang County Court on January 18, 2018, for his belief in Falun Gong, a spiritual practice being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime. The court did not notify his family or his lawyer, which violated legal procedure. Mr. Li was sent to Zhengzhou Prison in Xinmi City.

When Mr. Li's family asked the court staff why his sentencing was kept secret, they told them that it was because information about his trial had been posted on the Minghui website.

Arrest and Trial

Mr. Li Quangui, 58, from Fucheng Village, Shuiye Town, was arrested when he was talking to people and distributing brochures about Falun Gong in Jiangcun Township on June 11, 2017. His home was ransacked the following day. The police confiscated his Falun Gong books and informational materials.

He was transferred from a lock-up center to a detention center in Anyang County on June 23.

Mr. Li was tried by the Anyang Court on the morning of October 31, 2017. Four of his family members attended the trial, which lasted an hour.

His lawyer entered a non-guilty plea for him and stated that no law in China states that practicing Falun Gong is a crime. He asserted that it was not against the law for Mr. Li to talk to people about his spiritual belief or to possess Falun Gong books. Mr. Li also testified about how he has benefited from practicing Falun Gong and the importance of helping the public learn the facts about the practice and how it's being persecuted.

The judge and the officers did not object during the lawyer's defense or Mr. Li's statement. The judge then adjourned the proceedings and said the sentencing would be announced at a future date.

Over two months later, the Anyang County Court issued the verdict against Mr. Li on January 18, 2018 without notifying his family or his lawyer.