Two Falun Gong Practitioners Arrested in Shenyang City

At around 1:30 a.m. on March 23rd, 2008, several police officers from Hushitai Town Police Station in New Shenbei District, Shenyang City rushed into the home of Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Niu Guifang in Qianzhantun Village. The police arrested her, along with her husband and her niece. They ransacked the house and found no Falun Gong materials. At the same time, practitioner Ms. Ren Xiuqin was also arrested in Hushitai Town.

Ms. Niu and Ms. Ren were first detained in Hushitai Police Station and then in Huishan Hotel in Shenyang City. Ms. Niu Guifang's husband and niece were later released.

With the approach of the Olympic Games, the Chinese Communist Party has sent out secret orders to closely monitor Falun Gong practitioners from March to September. Many practitioners have been arrested in various provinces. On March 20th, Shenyang City Police Bureau held a meeting that police chiefs from all police stations in Shenyang City were required to attend. They were told to closely monitor Falun Gong practitioners and petitioners who might go to Beijing to appeal before the Olympic Games. The police were given permission to beat Falun Gong practitioners and petitioners. If practitioners and petitioners went to Beijing to appeal, the local police chief would immediately be removed from office.

The arrests of Niu Guifang and Ren Xiuqin were premeditated. On March 14th, police officer Wang Dali from Hushitai Town Police Station harassed Ren Xiuqin and threatened her, "Do not go out during the two congressional conventions. I will monitor you every day."

At 9:00 a.m. on March 15th, Cui Guoyou, the former leader of Qianzhantun Village, brought two policemen to the village--Lu Bo and Wang Qiang, who claimed to come from the town government. Lu climbed on the roof of Niu Guifang's house and monitored her from there. He tried to escape when he was noticed by Ms. Niu. Ms. Niu caught him and he then revealed his identity and the identities of Wang Qiang and Cui Guoyou.

This was not the first time Ms. Niu and Ms. Ren were harassed and taken into custody by local officials. Ms. Niu and Ms. Ren are well-known by villagers for their kindness. But they have been brutally persecuted by many local officials, including a local judiciary assistant, Zhu Yunchao.

Ms. Niu and Ms. Ren had been detained twice and sentenced to forced labour. In July 2003, officers from the village police station went to Ms. Niu's house and tried to arrest her. They searched everywhere and could not find her, so they confiscated her Falun Gong books and exercise tapes. This unprovoked harassment stirred up much anger among villagers and Ms. Niu's neighbours.

After the incident, she went to the police station to reason with them and was detained at the police station and later at the 610 Office¹ of Xinchengzi City. She was sentenced to two years of forced labour and was detained in Longshan Re-education (Brainwashing) Institution of Shenyang City. Prior this arrest, Ms. Niu was arrested and detained in Masanjia Forced Labour Camp for one year.

Ren Xiuqin came from Shuanglouzi Village. On the night of July 7th, 2006, officers from Hushitai Town Police Station (Li Meng, Wang Dali and He Xichun) arrested Ren at her home. They also confiscated her computers, Falun Gong books, and materials exposing the persecution of Falun Gong. They sent her to the brainwashing centre at Zhangshi Forced Labour Camp. She was tortured by various methods, including beatings with a leather whip that was dipped in cold water.

The news of Ms. Niu's and Ms. Ren's arrests spread. Villagers are very angry and have criticized the police for secretly arresting two kind women.

We call on residents in Shenyang City to step forward and help rescue these two women.

We would also like to advise those who are still involved in the persecution of Falun Gong: learn the truth about Falun Gong. Persecuting anyone is against the law. Do not help the Communist Party.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2008/3/30/175443.html