(Minghui.org) Two men in Xingtai City were tried in court for the fourth time last year for their faith. Mr. Lu Gang and Mr. Cai Yun are practitioners of Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that is currently persecuted in China.

Their families received verdicts from the Guangzong County Court in January of this year. Mr. Lu was sentenced to five years and Mr. Cai was given three years. Both families have filed appeals with the Xingtai City Intermediate Court.

On the day of their trial in December last year, only immediate family members and lawyers were allowed in the courtroom. Ignoring their lawyers’ protests, the judge insisted that the two practitioners wear handcuffs and shackles.

During the trial, the defense lawyers argued that the prosecution had fabricated evidence against the practitioners. The trial lasted more than six hours, and the judge adjourned it without rendering a verdict.