(Minghui.org) A Sanmen County resident was tried on May 18, 2017 for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.
Only five family members of Ms. Ye Jinye were allowed inside the courtroom, but the local authorities sent in more than 60 government employees to fill the rest of the seats. The police also arrested 7 locals who came to show support for Ms. Ye.
Ms. Ye was arrested on March 15, 2016, and since then her health has quickly declined. At the time of writing, her lower limbs are paralyzed and she cannot take care of herself. Her lawyers’ request for medical parole has been denied. She remains detained after her court appearance.
High Profile Case
Ms. Ye’s friends in Los Angeles held a rally on April 12, 2017 calling for her release. They delivered an appeal to the Chinese Consulate there.
According to insiders, the trial of Ms. Ye is the first Falun Gong case handled by Sanmen County Court, and the local authorities intended to use it to showcase their active participation in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
Yang Shengjie, newly appointed Secretary of Sanmen County Chinese Communist Party Committee, was there to open the court hearing.
Unlawful Security Checks
By law, defense lawyers are exempt from going through security checks in courthouses. Ms. Ye’s two lawyers, however, were ordered to go through two checkpoints. They were prohibited from bringing in their electronic devices, papers, or pens. In order to defend their client, the lawyers gave in.
Judge Sun Liangting announced a two-hour-recess after a morning session. When the hearing resumed, the lawyers were asked to go through security again. This time, they firmly refused to cooperate and were barred outside. Without legal representation for the defendant, Judge Sun adjourned the session and said a new court date would be announced later.
Related Reports:
Rally in Los Angeles Calls for Release of Falun Gong Practitioner Detained in China for Over a YearPlease Write Letters to Falun Gong Practitioner Ye Jinyue Detained in Zhejiang
