(Minghui.org) Ms. Cai Guanying was tried by the Huicheng District Court in Huizhou City on December 6, 2016 for practicing Falun Gong. Her attorney pointed out several violations during the trial, including the court's failure to notify her family of the proceedings and the trial not being publicly announced.
Ms. Cai's attorney also protested that the prosecution's witness testimony was not signed or verified by cross-examination, nor did the witness appear in court. He further argued that the evaluation conclusion provided by the Huizhou City 610 Office violated the principle of judicial independence and was illegal.
The attorney pleaded not guilty on Ms. Cai's behalf, asserting that she was exercising her freedom of belief guaranteed by China's constitution. He added that the Falun Gong print materials and DVDs seized from Ms. Cai's home were covered by freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Ms. Cai was arrested at home on September 24, 2016 by officers from the Huicheng District Domestic Security Division and the Yunshan Police Station. The police ransacked her home and confiscated two printers, computers, Falun Gong books, Falun Gong informational materials, and other personal belongings.
The police also took Ms. Cai's husband and elementary school-age daughter to the station. They interrogated Ms. Cai's husband for several hours and released both of them that night.
Ms. Cai's husband was monitored, and his cellphone was tapped. Officers from the Domestic Security Division also threatened him not to hire an attorney.
Ms. Cai is being held in the Meihu Detention Center. Her husband went there several times but was not allowed to see her.
