(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Deng Shier was sentenced to 27 months in prison by the Dongyuan County Court in September 2016 for practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party.
She appealed to the Heyuan Intermediate’s Court, which overturned the lower court's ruling on April 11, 2017. He case was returned it to the Dongyuan County Court, where it was retried on June 16.
On the morning of the trial, the courthouse was surrounded by police, who prevented most of Ms. Deng’s family members from entering the courtroom. Only two family members were allowed to attend the trial.
Two lawyers defending Ms. Deng noted mistakes in the prosecutor's charges against her. The presiding judge stopped the lawyers from continuing with their arguments. When the lawyers protested, the judge called a 20-minute recess.
When asked by a lawyer why she practiced Falun Gong, Ms. Deng testified that she used to be of poor health. After she practiced Falun Gong, not only did all her illnesses disappear, but she also improved her moral character. The prosecutor repeatedly interrupted her testimony.
The two lawyers contended that practicing Falun Gong is entirely lawful under Chinese citizens’ rights to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
The new trial lasted two and a half hours.
