Law-Abiding Citizens Detained for Trying to Locate an Arrested Falun Gong Practitioner

Falun Gong practitioners Mr. Huo Jinping and Mr. Guo Jingfen were arrested on the evening of March13th, 2012, when police broke into their home. The practitioners were taken to the Jiamusi Detention Centre. Later on, Mr. Huo Jinping was secretly transferred. His current whereabouts are unknown. Other practitioners and Mr. Huo's family members were recently arrested for trying to locate him.

Family and Friends Deceived by Police

On the morning of April 5th, Mr. Huo's brother and sister-in-law came to the local area in an effort to locate Mr. Huo. They didn't know if he was still alive and looked anxious. Other Falun Gong practitioners offered to help them look for their loved one.

Practitioners Wang Yanxin and Xu Shulan accompanied Mr. Huo's brother and sister-in-law to the Jiamusi Police Station around 10 a.m. They first went to the municipal Domestic Security Division, but were redirected to another unit specialising in the persecution of Falun Gong. The policeman there said, "Leave your phone number and leave. We will call you at 9 a.m. tomorrow and let you know where he is."

Practitioners Mr. Yin Guang and his wife Ms. Wu Qilian, along with practitioner Ms. Li Guifang, then picked up Mr. Huo's brother and sister-in-law and took them to the home of Ms. Wang Qingrong, another fellow practitioner, to rest.

The practitioners did not know that the police followed them and planned to make an arrest.

Practitioners Arrested for Trying to Help Family

Around 11 a.m., witnesses saw plainclothes officers and police cars near Ms. Wang Qingrong's home. The plainclothes police were monitoring the building. Some residents asked them who they were. The policemen said in a low voice, "Be quiet. We are the police."

Subsequently, over a dozen policemen broke into Ms. Wang Qingrong's home. Three policemen directed the operations, while 10 others broke in ransacked not showing any warrant or ID. They ransacked the house and confiscated videos, Falun Gong books, the portrait of Falun Gong founder, a calendar, scissors, electric wire, mobile phone, phone-number book, batteries, computers, and paper.

Ms. Wang Qingrong fainted at the scene and was not arrested, but her husband, Mr. Hou Deqing, also a Falun Gong practitioner, was arrested.

Ms. Wu Qilian resisted the arrest and would not go with the police. Several policemen then grabbed her and dragged her downstairs. The police also arrested her husband, Mr. Yin. They photographed him and confiscated his working permit, ID card, bank account book and the car.

Ms. Li Guifang could not walk, as she had previously suffered a stroke. However, the policemen accused her of pretending and forcibly took her downstairs without letting her put on her coat.

Mr. Huo's brother and sister-in-law were arrested, too.

In total, 8 people were arrested, including 6 practitioners--Wang Yanxin, Xu Shulan, Li Guifang, Wu Qilian, Yin Guang, and Hou Deqing--and Huo's brother and sister-in-law.

Detained for Over 45 Days

Practitioners Wang Yanxin, Xu Shulan, Li Guifang, Wu Qilian, Yin Guang, and Hou Deqing were sent to the Qianjin Police Station of the Jiamusi Police Department. At around 2 p.m., the 6 practitioners were brought out and put into a police car. Ms. Li was very weak and was carried out by 4 policemen.

The practitioners were taken to the Jiamusi Tumour Hospital and then to the Jiamusi Tuberculosis Hospital for a physical examination. The police violently forced them to give blood. In the restroom of the Tuberculosis Hospital, a patient saw that Ms. Li was very weak and asked one of the policemen what happened. The policeman lied and said that it was due to her practicing Falun Gong.

Subsequently, the 6 practitioners were brought back to the Qianjin Police Station. Later, they were taken to the Jiamusi Detention Centre.

They have been detained for over 45 days. Their family members were not notified of their arrest. When they went to the police station to inquire about the whereabouts of their loved ones, they did not get an answer.

The status of Mr. Huo's brother and sister-in-law is not known.

Parties involved in the persecution include:

Jiamusi Police Station

Zhang Hongyu, from the police unit specialising in the persecution of Falun Gong: +86-454-8298377, +86-13904549088 (Mobile)

Qianjin Police Branch in Jiamusi Public Security Bureau:

Wang Yujun: +86-454-8298229, +86-13704545588 (Mobile)
Li Zhongyi: +86-13945454488 (Mobile)
Liang Huawei: +86-454-8298299, +86-13199140111 (Mobile)
Wang Zhongshan: +86-454-8298230, +86-13504546999 (Mobile)
Qianjin Police Station of the Jiamusi Police Department

Wang Lianmin, team leader, +86-454-8318833, +86-13904546699 (Mobile)
Zhan Wenjun, deputy team leader,86-15904547999 (Mobile)