(Minghui.org) Two Anlu City residents were tried on May 26, 2017, for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Mr. Huang Xuejun, a 49-year-old pharmacist, was visiting Ms. Sun Youlan, 72, on September 10, 2016, when he was reported to the police by Ms. Sun’s neighbor. He was seized on his way home. The police raided Ms. Sun’s home later that day and arrested her on December 16, 2016.

This is not the first time that Mr. Huang and Ms. Sun have been targeted for their faith. Mr. Huang’s latest arrest was preceded by nine prior arrests, and Ms. Sun was harassed and had her home searched by police numerous times in the past.

“Open” Trial Closed to the Public

Only two family members were allowed to attend the trial; the remaining seats were filled with strangers. Mr. Huang’s mother, who hadn’t seen her son for more than eight months, waited outside the courthouse for more than five hours while the trial was going on.

The courthouse was heavily guarded, with the main roads closed to traffic and the police stopping and taking pictures of those who showed up in front of the courthouse.

Mr. Huang had two lawyers, Mr. Zhang Keke and Mr. Wen Donghai, to represent him. The lawyers argued that no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong and that their client should never have been prosecuted for exercising his constitutional right to freedom of belief. They demanded his acquittal.

Ms. Sun didn’t have a lawyer, but the not-guilty defense arguments given by Mr. Huang’s lawyers applied to her as well, since both she and Mr. Huang faced the same charge for their faith.

Mr. Huang and Ms. Sun also testified how Falun Gong had restored their health and made them better people. They argued that they broke no law or caused any harm to society.

The judge adjourned the trail without issuing a verdict. Ms. Sun and Mr. Huang are still being detained.

Related Report:Two Practitioners Unlawfully Detained in Anlu City