(Minghui.org) During the trial of Ms. Qi Yaoyuan (祁尧媛), the prosecutor flipped through a thick law book but failed to refute the defense's assertion that practicing Falun Gong is not against the law, nor is Falun Gong a cult. Grasping at straws, the prosecutor asserted that she violated Article 27 of Public Security Administration Punishments Law, “Disturbing the social order or impairing the health of any other person in the name of any religion or Qigong.”

Ms. Qi's attorneys then pointed out that this was an administrative code, not a criminal one, so if that was the prosecutor's new argument, the criminal charges should be immediately dropped. Furthermore, there was zero evidence of Ms. Qi disturbing order or impairing anyone's health.

Ms. Qi was being tried for “using a cult organization to undermine enforcement of the law,” a charge regularly used by the Communist regime to imprison Falun Gong practitioners. The Communist Party vilifies Falun Gong as a “cult” to incite public hatred and gain support for its violent persecution campaign against the practice, but such a designation has no factual or legal basis.

The two-and-half-hour hearing by the Pingdu Court took place at the Qingdao No. 3 Detention Center on November 24, 2014. Ms. Qi pleaded not guilty and told the court how her health had improved after she started practicing Falun Gong in 2007. The hearing ended without a verdict.

The detention center entrance was guarded by the local 610 Office director, deputy director and agents, as well as a dozen police officers. They denied entrance to all visitors, particularly friends from her hometown. Only four of Ms. Qi's family members were allowed to attend the trial.

Attorneys: Charges Unfounded

Ms. Qi's attorneys from Beijing, Mr. Lan Zhixue (兰志学) and Mr. Zhang Zhuanli (张传利), attended the hearing.

The prosecutor, Fu Yanjun (傅艳君), pointed to the Falun Gong books and printer found at Ms. Qi's home as evidence. Ms. Qi's attorney argued, “Freedom of belief is a basic human right for a citizen, as defined in our Constitution. As a Falun Gong practitioner, my client needs to study its teachings. It is thus reasonable to download the books from the Internet, including Minghui.org, and print them.”

He alleged that it was police, not Ms. Qi, who had undermined the enforcement of law by breaking into her home, arresting her, and seizing her personal property without a warrant.

“My client was merely talking with another person at home. There is nothing wrong with that,” the attorney added.

Ms. Qi: “I Did Nothing Wrong”

Ms. Qi, a 40-year-old dietitian, was arrested at home on July 23, 2014, detained, and tried on November 24.

At the beginning of the hearing, the presiding judge asked Ms. Qi whether she'd like to enter a plea. Ms. Qi responded, “I had a tumor removed from my thoracic vertebrae seven years ago, and the doctors put in a metal section for added support. The surgery didn't help much, though, since I was still hurting a lot and couldn't function.”

She continued, “But I was amazed that the pain disappeared not long after I began to practice Falun Gong. Now I am healthy enough to run a diabetic food store with my husband. I follow Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in my daily life and business. I am honest and consider others before myself. I am proud to say that I have the trust of my customers.”

“I did nothing wrong, so I plead not guilty,” declared Ms. Qi.

Continued Threats

One of the judges told the attorneys when going downstairs, “You should repeat what you said in the courtroom to the Supreme Court.”

However, one of the 610 Office agents threatened Ms. Qi's friend, “What her husband did will hurt her,” hinting at consequences for his hiring attorneys to defend Ms. Qi.

Perpetrators' Contact Information:

Liu Jie (刘杰), police officerFu Yanjun (傅艳君), prosecutorZhang Jinrong (张金荣), director of the Pingdu 610 Office: +86-13953216049Guo Yucheng (国玉成), deputy director of the Pingdu 610 Office: +86-15615887178Li Faqi (李法岐), deputy director of the Pingdu 610 Office: +86-13573251262 (Cell), +86-532-88337786 (Home), +86-532-88369900 (Home)Dai Yugang (代玉刚), 610 Office agent: +86-532-87309201Hou Jiarui (侯加瑞), deputy director of the Pingdu Police Department (in charge of Falun Gong cases): +86-13806395105 (Cell), +86-532-66587008 (Office)Liu Jie (刘杰), officer in Domestic Security Division: +86-13156377817, +86-15866870870. Address: East Unit 201, North Building, Pingdu Qianhui Garden, Shandong ProvinceChen Xijun (陈锡军), deputy political instructor of the Chengguan Police Station: +86-13789858018Fu Yanjun (傅艳君), prosecutor with Pingdu Procuratorate: +86-15066293178Yue Zhimin (岳芝敏), judge at Pingdu Court