(Minghui.org) Ms. Ma Haifang from Beijing was tried by the Shijingshan District Court on January 18, 2017. Ms. Ma, 38, was arrested on August 2, 2016, when she was talking to people about Falun Gong. The police searched her bag and ransacked her home. They also confiscated Falun Gong books, computers, and some informational pamphlets.
Ms. Ma's lawyer pleaded not guilty on her behalf. He pointed out that there was nothing illegal about the materials the authorities confiscated from Ms. Ma's home or the documents stored on her computer, and it was not against the law in China to possess materials related to Falun Gong, or to talk about the persecution.
The prosecutors argued that in addition to the approximately 100 copies of promotional materials confiscated from Ms. Ma's bag and home, they also found records of her talking to people about Falun Gong on her computer.
Ms. Ma had spoken to a girl about Falun Gong, and the girl testified against her. The lawyer said that it was not illegal for her to spread the truth about Falun Gong or to talk to the girl. He underscored the fact that since the girl is less than 18 years old, her testimony was not legal.
Ms. Ma's mother was the only member of her family that the court allowed to attend the hearing. Her husband was denied entry because he testified and provided written statements for her.
Ms. Ma is being held at the Shijingshan District Detention Center.
