(Minghui.org) Seven Falun Gong practitioners were tried for producing and distributing Falun Gong informational materials on April 15 at a court in Zhejiang Province, China.

The judge started the trial before all lawyers and the jury were present.

The defendants were taken to the court house without prior notification. They appeared in the court in handcuffs and shackles. The handcuffs and shackles were removed at the request of the lawyers.

Ms. Chen Zhenhe, the oldest practitioner, fainted and was put on a portable hospital bed.

The prosecutor presented his evidence and claimed that one of the practitioners signed it, but the practitioner denied having signed anything. A policewoman claimed that the prosecutor was correct, but she could not present any document of legal expertise for such evaluation when asked by the lawyers. The practitioners refuted the evidences as baseless fabrications.

The lawyer said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gives direction to persecute practitioners, and forbids a trial based on existing Chinese law. The lawyers pleaded not guilty on behalf of their clients and demanded that they be released.

The judge interrupted the defendants and their lawyers throughout the court session.

One of the family members was evicted from the courthouse for applauding the lawyer's speech.

The judge said a judgment will be made later and adjourned the court session.

Courthouse Heavily Guarded

The Yuyao City Courthouse, was heavily guarded by plainclothes officers and special police inside and outside.

Attendees underwent strict security checks before entering the courthouse, especially the defendants' families, who were subjected to body searches. The lawyers were ordered to open up their briefcases. A cameraman filmed every one of them.

There were many plainclothes officers and several security guards in the courthouse.

Another Falun Gong practitioner was arrested at the gate of the courthouse on the day of the trial. His whereabouts is unknown.

Detained for Over One Year Prior to the Trial

The defendants were Mr. Qi Changxing, Mr. Yao Hongwen, Ms. Huang Guidi, Ms. Chen Zhenhe, Ms. Wang Chunyan, Ms. Yu Zhiying and Ms. Shao Hongni. They are all residents of Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province.

The defendants were arrested on April 18 and 20, 2014. They were held in the Yuyao and Cixi Detention Center for more than one year prior to the trial, which is beyond the legal detention period allowed under existing Chinese law.

During the detention the practitioners were not allowed to call their families.

Parties Involved in persecuting the seven practitioners:Ying Qiming, chief of the Yuyao City Court: 86-13646660636 (Mobile), 86-574-62770001 (Office)Jiang Huijun, deputy chief of the Yuyao City Court: 86-13705844949 (Mobile), 86-574-62770081 (Office)Zhu Rongrong, chief judge of the criminal court of Yuyao City Court: 86-15888097272 (Mobile), 86-574-62770048 (Office)Sheng Hui, judge of the criminal court of Yuyao City Court: 86-13685861165, 86-574-62770042