(Minghui.org) A Xingcheng City, Liaoning Province resident stood trial on September 9, 2022 for her faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Li Zhifen was arrested at home on August 13, 2022. She was first taken to the Wenquan Police Station and then transferred to the Huludao City Detention Center.

The Xingcheng City Court held a virtual hearing of her case on September 9. Her lawyer entered a not guilty plea for her. He argued that no law criminalizes Falun Gong in China and that the prosecutor failed to present any evidence to show how Ms. Li “undermined law enforcement with a cult organization,” a standard pretext used to frame Falun Gong.

Ms. Li’s husband testified that some items used by the prosecutor as evidence against her weren’t taken from their home and didn’t belong to Ms. Li.

Ms. Li also testified in her own defense. She denied the charge against her and demanded an acquittal. The judge adjourned the hearing one and half hours later without announcing a verdict.