Mass Arrest of Fourteen Practitioners in Maoming--Five Facing Trial

(Minghui.org) Fourteen Falun Gong practitioners were arrested in Maoming on November 2, 2013. Five are still being detained.

Families of the arrested practitioners appealed to the authorities to release of their loved ones, but the authorities refused to see them. The police station deputy director claimed that the practitioners would be put on trial.

The five detained practitioners are Ms. Lingxiu, Ms. Xuemei, Ms. Liang Qiuyuan, Ms. Liang Guifen, and Ms. Deng Shuiyu.

Authorities Avoid Practitioners' Family Members

Members of the practitioners' families went to the Maogang District 610 Office on November 7, 2013, to request the release of their detained loved ones. One employee said, “No one is here in the Domestic Security Division. Come back tomorrow.”

The families returned the next day. The clerk said, “The person you want to talk to is not here. Go downstairs.” They went downstairs to the entrance guard room. The guard offered to call Lu Xianghui, chief of the Maogang Domestic Security Division, but Lu never showed up.

Yang Kui, deputy director of the Poxin Town Police Station, finally arrived. One family member said, “Falun Gong is legal in China. These practitioners committed no crimes. You are violating the law.” Yang said that he did not participate in the arrest. Another family member said, “You were there on the day of arrest. How can you say that you did not participate?” Yang was speechless.

Family Visits Denied

One relative asked to see Ms. Liang Guifang. Yang said, “They are under investigation. No visits are allowed.” The relative said, “Did she commit murder or arson? Why can't we see her? I'm asking her to be released unconditionally. The passersby and neighbors said that you guys were bandits on the day of arrest. These seniors follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and have not done anything bad, but you guys arrested them. Ms. Liang's husband was sentenced to a 14-year prison term and is still in prison.”

Yang said, “She should have known that she might be jailed for practicing Falun Gong.” The relative replied, “Is it wrong to have a belief? She has not done anything wrong. Practicing Falun Gong gives her a healthy body.” Another family member said, “I respect Ms. Liang. She not only takes good care of her 86-year-old mother-in-law, but also has to support the entire family.”

The family members asked him to release the practitioners. Yang said, “It's now up to the court. Whatever sentence they want to give.” Then he left.

Parties involved in the persecution:
Maoming No. 1 Detention Center: [phone]
Maoming Brainwashing Center: [phone], [phone]
Yang Hui (杨辉), head of the Maoming Brainwashing Center: [phone]
Yuan Tao (袁涛), director of the Maogang District Police Department: [phone]
Cao Peihua (曹培华), secretary of the Maogang District Political and Legal Affairs Committee: [phone]
Gao Jinqiu (高锦俅), head of the Poxin Town 610 Office: [phone]

Earlier reports:

Six Practitioners Still Detained in Maoming City After Mass Arrest

Police from Maoming Arrest Practitioners and Ransack Their Homes