(Minghui.org) Two women in Tieling City, Liaoning Province, are still detained for practicing Falun Gong even though the prosecutor has returned their case due to insufficient evidence.

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

Ms. Qiu Tieling and Ms. Wang Jinhui were arrested on June 4, 2021, by Xincheng District Police Station officers for talking to people about Falun Gong. Their electric bikes were impounded. The police also ransacked their homes without a search warrant, confiscating their Falun Gong books, photos of Falun Gong’s founder, and computers.

The police took their photos and collected samples of their blood against their will. Ms. Qiu was then taken to the Tieling County Detention Center. Ms. Wang was held in a metal cage in the basement of the police station, because she had a fever. It’s not clear where she is now.

Both practitioners’ arrests dealt a heavy blow to their families. Ms. Wang’s mother has been bedridden for many years and is unable to take care of herself. Ms. Qiu’s husband, who suffers from diabetes and the aftereffects of a stroke, also relies on her for care, especially after his condition relapsed earlier this year. Prior to Ms. Qiu’s arrest, she had been taking him to a clinic for treatment every day.

In the months following their arrests, the families of both women went to the police station several times to demand their release, but were repeatedly turned away and intimidated.

In early August, Ms. Qiu’s husband hired a lawyer to visit her in the detention center. The lawyer also went to the police station and pointed out to the police that they had violated the law by arresting Ms. Qiu.

Ms. Qiu’s husband was delighted to learn that the Yinzhou District Procuratorate returned both cases to the police station on August 2, citing insufficient evidence.

Despite his condition and the heat, he went to the police station, wheelchair-bound and accompanied by Ms. Qiu’s sister. He said that his wife didn’t do anything wrong by practicing her faith and shouldn’t be detained.

Before he could ask when she would be released, officer Wang asked if Ms. Qiu’s sister practiced Falun Gong. Wang called the police station of her residence and said he was going to arrest her and her brother-in-law.

Petrified, Ms. Qiu’s husband’s face turned pale. Ms. Qiu’s sister said to the police, “We came here today to ask about my sister’s case. Since the procuratorate has returned her case, you should release her. Can’t you see how pitiful my brother-in-law is? He has been so worried about his wife that his condition has declined further. What’s wrong with my coming with him to inquire about the case? Why do you hold us in custody? Don’t you see how upset you’ve made him! I will file a complaint against you if you dare to do anything to us!”

The police released them five hours later and told them to wait for further notice at home. But nearly two weeks have passed, and Ms. Qiu is still detained.

Struggling to care for himself and cope with his fear of the police, Ms. Qiu’s husband’s condition has only gotten worse.

Perpetrators’ contact information:
Yang Xinhua (杨昕华), officer, Xincheng District Police Station: +86-15804103133Wang Wanjun (王万军), chief, Xincheng District Police Station: +86-13904101993Zhang Jiuxiang (张久香), deputy head, Xincheng District Police Station: +86-24-72685103, +86-13904102818

(More perpetrators’ contact information is available in the original Chinese article.)