Changchun City: 17 Falun Gong Practitioners and Their Family Members Arrested in One Day

In the morning of February 19, 2023, Changchun City police arrested 17 Falun Gong practitioners and their family members. Most of the practitioners had their homes ransacked and their Falun Gong books and informational materials confiscated. Police also stayed at some practitioners’ homes, waiting to arrest more practitioners if they came to visit.

According to an insider, the police operation was ordered by the Changchun Political and Legal Affairs Committee, the 610 Office, and Erdao District Domestic Security Office. Most of the practitioners had been monitored for months before the arrests.

Mr. Lu Jinhua, a Falun Gong practitioner, had surveillance cameras installed outside his house by the police to monitor his daily activities and identify practitioners he was in contact with.

Practitioner Mr. Wang Qixue was arrested while visiting Ms. Liu Xiaohua. When Mr. Wang’s son went to Ms. Liu’s home to look for his father, he was also arrested even though he doesn’t practice the spiritual faith. While he was released thereafter, his father was detained for ten days at the Weizigou Lockup.

Ms. Zhang Chunjie’s home was broken into by four police officers. They confiscated many Falun Gong related materials, including over 40 books, a photo of Falun Gong’s founder, informational materials, and a media player. Ms. Zhang and her husband were both arrested at their house. Only Ms. Zhang’s husband has been released.

Practitioner Ms. Zhang Chunli was arrested and given ten days of detention after her home was ransacked by seven police officers.

Ms. Wang Min was arrested at work and her cell phone was confiscated.

Other people who were arrested on the same day include Ms. Tang Xiaoyan, her mother and sister Ms. Tang Xiaohong (non-practitioner), Ms. Zhao Guizhi, Mr. Lu Jinhua’s sister, Ms. Liu, Zhang, Lian, and a male practitioner whose name is unknown.

Previous Arrests in Changchun

Prior to the latest police sweep, the Changchun police had arrested eight practitioners since December last year.

Mr. He Yan, Mr. Zhang Wengui, and Liu were arrested while visiting Ms. Ma Guiqing on December 5, 2022. They were released shortly after and placed on house arrest.

Mr. He was later arrested again on February 13, 2023 and put on criminal detention. He was later released due to health conditions. However, he is now facing prosecution as the police had submitted his case to the procuratorate.

70-year-old retired college professor Mr. Wang Min was also at Ms. Ma’s home during the arrest on December 5. However, he was only arrested a few days later, and released on the same day. On February 13, 2023, the same day as Mr. He’s arrest, Mr. Wang was taken from his home and held in a detention facility in Jiutai District. The cell phone and several Falun Gong books were confiscated.

There were also multiple arrests on February 17, including an elderly lady Ms. Wang Lihua, Ms. Fu Lanfen, and another practitioner (name unknown).

Ms. Fu and the unnamed practitioner were arrested while spreading awareness about Falun Gong in public. Ms. Fu’s Falun Gong books and a photo of Falun Gong’s founder were confiscated. practitioners are now held at the Jiutai District Detention Center.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Based on an original Minghui article.