(Minghui.org) In response to the unlawful arrest of Mr. Li Jifeng for his belief in Falun Gong, 478 local villagers signed and fingerprinted a petition calling for his release. Nonetheless, Mr. Li was secretly sentenced to six years in prison by Shulan City authorities on October 7, 2013. This information did not surface until recently, nearly a year later, due to the authorities' efforts to conceal their crimes.

Petition by 478 villagers calling for the release of Li Jifeng

Li Jifeng was arrested at his home around 9 p.m. on June 10, 2013. The police also arrested his son, Li Guangfu, who does not practice Falun Gong. The police threatened to arrest Li Jifeng's daughter-in-law, who had just given birth, when his wife refused to provide materials that could lead the police to further persecute him. Mr. Li was sent to the Nanshan Detention Center.

Villagers who petitioned for his release said that it was an outrage to see such a good man arrested and persecuted by the authorities. Mr. Li is well-known in Lianhua County for his volunteer work in the community. When it snowed, he cleared miles of road around the village. During the rainy season, he removed water accumulation from the road and repaired potholes. He often cleaned up trash in the village.

However, Mayor Yang Wendan of Shulan City refused to accept the petition. He told Mr. Li's family that they had to go to the 610 Office to seek his release. When the family visited the 610 Office, they were threatened by the staff.

Without notifying the family, the Shulan City Court secretly sentenced Li Jifeng to 6 years in prison on October 7, 2013.

Personnel responsible for the persecution:Cheng Puliang (程普亮), director of the former Lianhua County 610 office: 86-15044676666(Cell) 86-13500900666(Cell)Yang Wenxue (杨文学), staff from the Lianhua County Combined Law Enforcement Office: 86-15543056810(Cell)Zhou Jianguo (周建国), director of the Lianhua County Police Station: 86-13944290977(Cell)