(Minghui.org) Mr. Jiang Hanquan's defense lawyer entered a not guilty plea to the charge of undermining the law during the trial held on January 3, 2015.
Plainclothes officers broke into Mr. Jiang's home on December 1, 2014. They locked the door and barred the family from leaving. The police said the poems on his door contained the words, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” and arrested him.
The defense lawyer asked the court to allow Mr. Jiang's son to testify during the trial, but the judge denied his request.
In response to the prosecution's evidence, Mr. Jiang's lawyer said that, as a Falun Gong believer, he naturally has books about his belief, just like a Buddhist has books about Buddhism or a Christian has a Bible. The Chinese Constitution gives citizens the right to religious freedom.
The lawyer pointed out that a state agent who deprives citizens of religious freedom could be detained or sentenced for up to two years in prison.
The lawyer said there were no laws against Mr. Jiang's posting poems on his own doors. Furthermore, there was no evidence that any one was hurt after reading Mr. Jiang's poems.
He asked what crime Falun Gong books were committing by teaching Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance, and why are Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China when they can freely practice in Taiwan, Hong Kong, US, and other countries.
The lawyer concluded, since Falun Gong is legal, my client is not guilty.
Mr. Jiang told the court how practicing Falun Gong improved his mind and body, and that he is very grateful.
The court was adjourned.
Mr. Jiang is a farmer. He and his family have been harassed for the last fifteen years simply because they practice Falun Gong. His wife, his two daughters, and his son have been detained, imprisoned in forced labor camps, and brainwashed. Their home was monitored for a long time. Mr. Jiang has now developed severe high blood pressure as a result of being persecuted in the detention center.
