(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners Mr. Yuan Yulong, Ms. Yang Shuzhen, Ms. Gao Yumin, Ms. You Jinying, and Mr. Liu Siyuan were arrested on July 14, 2012, while distributing Falun Gong informational materials in Yongde Village, Beigang Town, Suibin County, Hegang City, Heilongjiang Province. Mr. Yuan and Mr. Liu were taken to the Suibin County Detention Center. The three female practitioners were taken to the Hegang No. 1 Detention Center.

Three months later, on October 19, 2012, the Suibin County Court tried five practitioners in the Suibin Detention Center and sentenced them to prison. The practitioners appealed their case to the Hegang Intermediate Court, however the Hegang Intermediate Court upheld the original sentence and closed the case without any trial or statement defending their action.

In mid-December, the lawyer received a phone call from the Hegang Intermediate Court, saying that they would not hold a trial. The lawyers were asked to submit a statement of defense. Lawyer Lan Zhixue went to the court and submitted to Judge Li Wei an opinion letter that asked for a public trial of the case, because the new criminal law would be in effect starting New Year's Day in 2013. Judge Li said, “We plan to close the case before New Year's Day. We are going to uphold the original sentence. You can submit the statement of defense. We won't have a trial.” Lawyer Lan said, “I brought with me a five-page opinion letter, no statement of defense.” Judge Li said, “Go to the typing room and create a transcript then.” Lawyer Lan said, “The evidence submitted by the Suibin Police Department regarding my client Ms. You Jinying is inconsistent, and does not conform to the law. The charge of 'sabotaging law enforcement' has nothing to do with this case. Ms. You is an ordinary citizen. Practicing Falun Gong is for health and fitness, and to be a better person. Article 35 and 36 of the Constitution states that citizens have freedom of religious belief and freedom of press. My client is innocent. Therefore I refuse to submit the statement of defense.”

Families of the five practitioners visited the Suibin Police Station many times to request the release of their family members. The police were unreasonable and treated them brutally. Ms. Gao Yumin's mother, Ms. Liu Guiqing, 83, has been visiting the police department, the court, and the Procuratorate in Suibin County every day asking for Ms. Gao's release, but has been rejected. She passed away on November 6, 2012, due to mental and physical exhaustion. She did not get to see her daughter for the last time.

It was said that Ms. Gao was beaten and injured in Hegang No. 1 Detention Center. Mr. Yuan and Mr. Liu were taken to the Jiamusi Prison.

Earlier reports:

Legal Procedures Ignored for Five Falun Dafa Practitioners in Hegang City (http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2012/10/31/136108.html)
Falun Gong Practitioners in Fujin City Tried for Their Beliefs (http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2012/11/11/136239.html)