(Minghui.org) An auxiliary police officer snatched the purse of a local woman in Leshan City because it contained literature about Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline currently persecuted in China. She was later arrested. The police beat her in custody, ransacked her home, and confiscated her personal belongings. They have so far refused to return her cash and valuables, and have put her under house arrest.

Ms. Huang Qiong and her daughter

Ms. Huang Qiong, a medical doctor, submitted a criminal complaint on August 17 against the authorities who were involved in her arrest in March and who caused her financial loss. She demanded respect for her basic human right to her spiritual belief, a right guaranteed by the Chinese Constitution.

Ms. Huang accused the auxiliary police of kidnapping and robbery, and the police from the local Domestic Security Division of illegal search, home invasion, and robbery.

The authorities have acknowledged receipt of her complaint. The following is an excerpt from the document.

“While riding in a taxi on March 9, 2017, I told the driver my story. I helped a lot of patients as a doctor but suffered from an incurable disease in 2010. My boyfriend at the time, who suffered from cardiovascular disease and gout, told me about the healing effects of Falun Gong. We both became practitioners and became completely healthy thereafter. We got married not long after that.

In October 2011 the police arrested us because of our belief. I was sentenced to two years in a forced labor camp. The camp refused to take me because of my failing liver and lung, which were the result of my not being allowed to practice Falun Gong after the arrest. I was sent home and quickly became well again after I started to exercise and study the teachings. I got pregnant. Because of the one-child policy and I already had a son, I had to deliver the baby at home.

I'd had obstructed labor and had a C-section in my 20s. I was almost 40 in 2012 and delivered my baby girl at home alone without any problem. It was a medical miracle thanks to Falun Gong.

My husband, fearing the persecution, gave up the practice. He had a brain hemorrhage and died in 2016.

After talking to the taxi driver, I gave him a flash drive with more information about Falun Gong. I got out of the taxi and found that the driver was following me. I tried to get away, but he grabbed me while showing me his identification as a member of the auxiliary police force. Quickly, a group of police officers came and took me to Pengshanlu Police Station.

One of the policemen punched and kicked me. I wasn’t given water from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Two more police from the Domestic Security Division arrived and took the 13,000 yuan in cash from my purse, along with my ATM card and personal ID. They then went to my home with my keys and ransacked the place, without anyone present.

I went home that night and my computer, valuables and other personal belongings were gone. My babysitter, who'd seen the police during the search, told me that they didn’t have a search warrant.

Still now, even after numerous requests, the police have refused to return my cash, ID and valuables. They didn’t allow me to go visit my elderly parents on an important holiday, saying that I was ordered to stay at home so they could monitor my activities.”

Ms. Huang was arrested because she gave the driver a flash drive that contained information about Falun Gong. Her intention and the content on the disc cannot be construed as a crime, as long as they do not cause anyone actual harm.

“What could I do to the driver by giving him a flash drive? Did I cripple him or caused him to have a mental breakdown?” Ms. Huang asked in her statement. Also, according to Chinese law, anything that was taken from her purse or home cannot be used as evidence against her since they were obtained through illegal arrest and search.