A recent example of the kind of mock trials that characterize the Chinese legal system.

Mr. Liang Wende Denied the Right to Defend Himself at Illegal Trial

On February 26, 2008, the Chinese Communist Party Court in the Longmatan District of Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, tried Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Liang Wende, and denied Mr. Liang the right to defend himself.

In court, Mr. Liang explained the mental and physical benefits of Falun Gong and exposed the illegal nature of the court proceedings, commenting that the so-called charges against him were fabricated. But the judge claimed that Mr. Liang's self-defense had nothing to do with the case and terminated his defense. Mr. Liang's written petition was taken away.

The court time and time again denied Mr. Liang the right to speak the truth, for fear that he would reveal the evil nature of the persecution to the public, including that the court fabricated charges, and the innumerable incidents of "illegal sentencing."

During the February 26 trial, all the court spectators were searched. It was stated that the purpose was to inspect their cell phones for recording devices or video recording equipment. Photographs and video recordings were taken inside and outside the court by police officials.

Wang Xu, chief of the 610 Office of Jiangyang District, directed the photographing and video recordings on-the-spot, and even chased people down to photograph them. Since the Chinese Communist Party started persecuting Falun Gong in 1999, Wang Xu has taken an active part in the persecution and is personally responsible for imprisoning many practitioners in the Jiangyang District.

After this trial, some practitioners in the Jiangyang District were tracked down and harassed by the police, their family's property was confiscated, and several were arrested.