The
court statements of core "Falun Gong" members
On
December 26, 1999, Li Chang, Wang Zhiwen, Ji Liewu and Yao
Jie, core members of the "Falun Gong" cult, were given an
open trial at a collegiate bench of the Beijing First Intermediate
People's Court according to Article 300 of the Criminal
Law of the People's Republic of China, on the charge of
using the cult to violate laws and cause deaths. Li Chang
and the other three separately gave their statements in
court.
Li
Chang said that "Falun Gong" had all the few features characteristic
of a cult and that Li Hongzhi flaunted the banner of "truthfulness,
benevolence and tolerance" to arouse people's interest and
make it acceptable to innocent people. Wang Zhiwen declared
that he would have nothing more to do with "Falun Gong"
in future. Ji Liewu admitted that he had done things, which
were against the law and had caused much damage. Yao jie
said that Li Hongzhi not only deceived "Falun Gong" practitioners
spiritually, but plundered them materially and what the
government had done to help "Falun Gong" practitioners were
humanitarian.
The
following are the main points of Li Chang and the other
three's court statements.
1.
The statement of the accused Li Chang
Li Hongzhi usurped the name of Qigong, which has many amateur
practitioners, to recruit people. His money-raising activities
could only deceive those who believed in him. On the premise
of deifying himself, Li Hongzhi was able to propagate his
fallacies and collect money.
Li
possessed all the characteristics defined by the government
as those of a cult leader. He flaunts the banner of "truthfulness,
benevolence and tolerance", and preaches that "Falun Gong"
can cure diseases and improve people's health. So, many
innocent people accepted his claims. It seems to me that
Li needed time to create his cult. He said that his first
phase was the Qigong period, and his Buddha dharma (or law)
period began in 1996. He preaches a series of fallacies,
most of which were shaped during the period when his "Buddha
dharma went up to Heaven." The cases mentioned in the indictment,
including those involving deaths, happened between 1996
and 1999.
We
believed Li Hongzhi when he said "Falun Gong" was taught
on a voluntary basis and he charged nothings to practitioners.
As a matter of fact, he kept his wealth amassment secret
from others.
Li advocates that everyone should regard carrying forward
the Buddha dharma as his or her own duty. So, as one witness
said, the victims even persuaded their family members to
practice "Falun Gong".
I
want to express once again my gratitude for the thorough
investigation made by the court, the presiding judge and
the other judges. I believe this case will be justly sentenced.
I admire the public prosecutors' firm attitude and clear
stand in striking at the cult.
2.
The statement of the accused Wang Zhiwen
I should say I violated the law after I participated in
"Falun Gong" and I submit to the sentence of the court.
As the government has declared that "Falun Gong" is a cultist
organization, I promise that I will no longer participate
in any "Falun Gong" activities.
