Mr. Qi Wei from Chaoyang District, Beijing, Taken into Custody

At around 9:30 p.m. on February 22nd, 2008, Mr. Qi Wei, a practitioner in Chaoyang District, Beijing, was taking a stroll with his wife near their home when several plain clothes police officers apprehended them and took them away to the Anzhen Police Station in Chaoyang District. Half a dozen officers then broke into their home and confiscated a notebook computer and a removable hard drive.

At home, Mr. Qi's family told the police again and again that the computer they wanted to confiscate was the notebook computer Mr. Qi used for his work. They even turned it on so the officers could browse through the files, all of which were related to Mr. Qi's work. The officers still took it away with them. Mr. Qi's wife also confirmed that there was absolutely no content on the notebook computer that was not related to his work. The removable hard drive was blank. Mr. Qi's family has consulted several lawyers, and they are determined to hold legally responsible anyone who dares to plant incriminating content on the computer or the removable hard drive.

The officers viciously beat Mr. Qi Wei when he was taken into custody. Mr. Qi sustained several bruises. The officers of the Anzhen Police Station were rude and violent. They took Mr. Qi's mobile phone, handcuffed his hands behind his back, and threatened him.

After protests from Mr. Qi's family, the police released Mr. Qi's wife early on the morning of February 23rd. At around 8:00 a.m. on February 23rd, Mr. Qi was transferred to the Chaoyang District Domestic Security Division for interrogation.

On February 20th, 2008, at around 3:00 p.m., practitioners Mr. Yang Hui and Mr. Bai Shaohua were stopped by the police while driving Mr. Qi Wei's car. Mr. Yang, the driver, called Mr. Qi, and Mr. Qi told him that all the licences and other legal documents were in the car. After this incident, Mr. Qi was no longer able to contact Mr. Yang over the mobile phone.

At around 3:00 a.m. on February 21st, Mr. Yang Hui was taken to the Huairou District Detention Centre in Beijing and placed in detention on criminal charges. It is likely that Mr. Bai Shaohua was also taken to the same detention centre.

As the 2008 Olympics approaches, the Communist regime in Beijing is panicking and therefore escalating its suppression of the public. We call upon the international community to pay attention to these issues.

Main switchboard at the Huairou District Detention Centre in Beijing: 86-10-61697828
Meng Xianghai (male), director of the Huairou District Detention Centre: 86-10-61697828 (ask for the director's office)

Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2008/2/28/173270.html