(Minghui.org) A Fushun City, Liaoning Province resident was tried by Qingyuan County Court on April 4, 2019, for practicing Falun Gong, a mind-body improvement practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999. The judge adjourned the hearing without issuing a verdict.
Ms. Gao Guilan, 67, was charged with “undermining law enforcement with a cult organization,” which is a pretext used by Chinese courts to criminalize and sentence Falun Gong practitioners in the persecution.
Ms. Gao maintained her innocence in holding firm to her spiritual belief and her efforts to raise awareness about the persecution that has lasted for 20 years, in which thousands of practitioners were confirmed to have been tortured to death.
Her lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her. He argued on the lack of legal basis for the persecution of Falun Gong.
The lawyer rebutted that the prosecutor didn't have any evidence to support the charges and failed to specify what law enforcement was undermined by Ms. Gao. He went on to point out that as a senior citizen who had retired several years ago, Ms. Gao didn't have the resources or the ability to undermine law enforcement.
The prosecution evidence included Falun Gong materials, a computer and DVD burner confiscated from Ms. Gao's home.
Her lawyer rebutted that these items were for her personal use. In addition, the China Administration of Press and Publication has revoked its ban on the publication of Falun Gong books in 2011. Thus, the items shouldn't be used as evidence against his client.
The prosecutor later read a witness account from Ms. Gao's husband. He testified in court that the content was fabricated.
Ms. Gao's daughter also requested to defend her, but was rejected by the judge. She submitted her statement in writing to the judge after the hearing.
Ms. Gao was arrested at home on the morning of November 13, 2018. Police searched every room in her home and confiscated many of her personal belongings, from calendars with information about Falun Gong to her computer.
Ms. Gao and her husband were brought to Qingyuan Town Police Station. Ms. Gao's husband was released later that evening. She was sent to Nangou Detention Center, where she has been held since.
It was reported that Ms. Gao suffered from a relapse of her stomach problems in the detention center and that she had severe stomachaches while eating.
The prosecutor once revealed that the police targeted Ms. Gao after one Falun Gong practitioner in Dalian City she had contact with was arrested. The police monitored her for a while before arresting her.
Ms. Gao used to suffer from many ailments, including heart and stomach problems, as well as uterine fibroids and insomnia. After she began to practice Falun Gong in 1997, her problems disappeared.
After the communist regime ordered the persecution campaign in 1999, Ms. Gao was repeatedly targeted for not renouncing her faith. She was given 4.5 years in prison by Qingyuan County Court in May 2002. Her husband suffered a stroke while she was imprisoned at Liaoning Women's Prison. Their family is concerned about his health, as he is now living alone following Ms. Gao's latest arrest and detention.
The Persecution of Ms. Gao Guilan in Fushun City, Liaoning Province