(Minghui.org) A Kangbao County resident was sentenced to three-and-half-years in prison for “using a cult to undermine law enforcement,” a standard pretext used by the Chinese communist regime in its attempt to frame and imprison Falun Gong practitioners.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a mind-body practice based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Ms. Qian Fenglin credits Falun Gong for keeping her fit and turning her into a better wife and mother. Because of that, she never hesitated to tell people that Falun Gong is nothing like what's depicted in the state propaganda. She was distributing Falun Gong informational materials on January 4, 2018, when she was seized by officer Lu Zheng.
Ms. Qian refused to answer questions while being interrogated at Chengguan Police Station. About five officers punched and kicked her in response. They also took a sample of her blood and her fingerprints before taking her to Shisanli Detention Center in Zhangjiakou City. They returned to Kangbao County to ransack her home and confiscate her Falun Gong books.
During her court hearing on March 28, Ms. Qian's lawyer pleaded “not guilty” on her behalf, and she also testified in her own defense.
Prosecutor Zhang Hai alleged that the confiscated Falun Gong books were enough to prove Ms. Qian's “guilt.” He cited two notices issued by China's Administration of Press and Publications in July 1999 banning the publication of Falun Gong books.
Ms. Qian's lawyer countered that the Administration issued a repeal of the ban in 2011 and that it was completely legal for practitioners to own Falun Gong books.
Prosecutor Zhang didn't present any of the prosecution evidence he listed in the indictment. When he didn't know how to answer the lawyer's questions, he accused the lawyer of being “anti-revolutionary.”
The lawyer pointed out that former Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin single-handedly launched the persecution while the People's Congress, China's law-making body, had never enacted any law saying that practicing Falun Gong was a crime and never labeled it a cult.
The lawyer also argued that Article 36 of the Constitution guarantees Chinese citizens the right to freedom of belief and freedom of the press.
Judge Zhang Zhenbin kept interrupting the lawyer as the latter presented his defense argument. He adjourned the session without issuing a verdict.
Prosecutor Zhang showed up at the detention center on May 11 to distribute anti-Falun Gong flyers to inmates and guards.
On July 11, a Kangbao County Court employee went to the detention center to inform Ms. Qian of her sentence.
Ms. Qian vowed to appeal her case.
Prosecutor Zhang Hai: +86-13253111666Judge Zhang Zhenbin: +86-15933036988, +86-17703137966
