Mr. Chen Deguan from Lanzhou Detained for Over a Year; His Wife Arrested Again

Mr. Chen Deguan from Lanzhou is 66 years old. He has been detained for over a year. His wife, Ms. Sheng Chunmei, was arrested for the second time in two years on July 28th, 2012, and is also currently detained. Officials attempted to put Mr. Chen on trial, the judge delayed the trial indefinitely at the last minute when his defence lawyers showed up.

Mr. Chen Deguan and his wife were arrested on July 6th, 2011, when they spoke to people about Falun Gong and gave out Shen Yun Performing Arts DVDs [a world-class traditional Chinese cultural show] in Huazhuang Township, Honggu District. The arrests were carried out by officers from the Huazhuang Police Station. Mr. Chen was incarcerated in the Lanzhou No. 2 Detention Centre. Ms. Sheng was released on bail.

In early June 2012, the Lanzhou Intermediate Court notified Ms. Sheng and her daughter that Mr. Chen would be tried on June 12th. When the two defence lawyers arrived from out of town, however, the judge notified the lawyers that the trial would be postponed for two days. Two days later, the judge told Mr. Chen’s daughter that per orders from the 610 Office (an organisation of special agents just for persecuting Falun Gong), the trial would be delayed further, and a new date would be announced later.

At the beginning of July 2012, officer Miao Yancai from the Huazhuang Police Station told Ms. Sheng to stop by the Honggu Police Department to pick up the money owned to her. Ms. Sheng’s daughter was concerned about her health and worried that she may be arrested, so she went to the police station instead. Police officers told her that if Ms. Sheng was not feeling well, her signature could be obtained later. Later, officer Miao Yancai called twice to get Ms. Sheng’s signature. He even went to the home of Ms. Sheng’s daughter in the attempt to find Ms. Sheng.

On July 28th, 2012, Ms. Sheng’s daughter received a phone call from Miao Yancai, telling her to go to her mother’s place. When she arrived, Ms. Sheng had already been taken to the Lanzhou No. 1 Detention Centre. However, there were still many police officers searching Ms. Sheng's home. Those present included officers from the Yingtan Road Police Station, An’ning Police Department, Honggu District Police Department, Lanzhou Police Department, Lanzhou Intermediate Court and Procuratorate office.

On July 29th, officers Huang Zongjun from the Domestic Security Division of the Honggu District Police Department and Miao Yancai from the Huazhuang Police Station met with Ms. Sheng’s daughter. They handed her the arrest warrant for her mother that had been signed by the Lanzhou Intermediate Court on June 28. They also informed her that Ms. Sheng was being held at the No. 1 Detention Centre.

Mr. Cheng Deguang was born in 1946. He was employed at the Mining Company No. 4, Northwest Division (now bankrupt). He lived at 394 Datong Road, Haishiwan, Honggu District. He had suffered many illnesses, including muscle strain, cervical bone hyperplasia, and gastroptosis, and used to smoke two packs of cigarettes and drink every day. In August 1997, he started practising Falun Gong. Soon after that, his illnesses disappeared, and he stopped smoking and drinking.

Since July 1999, when the Chinese Communist Party started persecuting Falun Gong, Mr. Chen has been arrested, detained and abused many times for his faith. He had broken ribs from being beaten and was isent to a forced labour camp. His entire family has suffered greatly due to the persecution.

Parties involved in the persecution:
Lei Fulin, director, Huazhuang Police Station: +86-931-6283110, +86-13399316211
Miao Yancai, police officer, Huazhuang Police Station: +86-13399316250
Li Lin, captain of Domestic Security Division, Honggu District Police Department: +86-13399316118

Qian Zongbin, police officer, Domestic Security Division, Honggu Police Department

Huang Zongjun, Honggu Police Department: +86-13399316135
Haishiwan Police Station: +86-0931-6231500
Zhao Zhengguo, director, Haishiwan Police Station: +86-13399316208
Lanzhou Intermediate Court: +86-931-856309
Bing Jianfeng, judge: +86-931-8563257