(Minghui.org) The number of Falun Gong practitioners arrested in Siping City, Jilin Province and nearby regions on August 15, 2019 has now been updated from 9 to 18, according to information collected by Minghui.org. One practitioner's 18-month-old daughter was also kept in custody for a few hours.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.
The local police and Domestic Security Division monitored the practitioners' daily activities, as well as their internet and cell phone use for months before carrying out the arrests.
More than 20 officers broke into Mr. Meng Xiangqi's home at 7:40 a.m. on August 15. They ransacked his place and confiscated more than 4,000 yuan in cash, Falun Gong books and related materials, as well as the family's bank cards and IDs.
Also arrested on the same day were Mr. Meng's parents (Mr. Wang Guizhen and Ms. Meng Fanjun), his parents-in-law (Mr. Yao Deyi and Ms. Fu Guihua), and his siblings-in-law (Mr. Wang Dongji and Ms. Yu Jianli).
Mr. Meng's wife, Ms. Yu Jianping, and their three-month-old baby are now left at home alone.
In addition to Mr. Meng's family, Ms. Cui Guixian's home was also broken into around 5 a.m. More than ten plainclothes officers ransacked her home and arrested Ms. Cui, her daughter, Ms. Qi Hongmei, and Ms. Qi's 18-month-old daughter.
Ms. Qi and her baby girl were released later that day.
Also around 5 a.m., nine plainclothes officers knocked on Ms. Liu Yuhua's door. They ransacked her home, took a photo of Ms. Liu, and took her to the police station.
Two hours later, another dozen officers went to Ms. Han Xue's home. The officers ransacked her place and confiscated her printer and computers. Ms. Han, her parents (Mr. Han Jianping and Ms. Sun Yanxia), and her cousin, Ms. Gao Hongyu, who happened to be visiting them, were all arrested.
Around 10 a.m., Mr. Li Changkun, 75, was arrested at his home. Police confiscated his Falun Gong books and a photo of the founder of Falun Gong. Mr. Li was then taken to Jilinjie Police Station.
Mr. Jiang Tao was arrested at around 1 p.m. He had visited Mr. Meng the day before.
Another two practitioners, Xiaoling (last name unknown) and Pan (first name unknown) were arrested on the same day.
Related report:
Siping City, Jilin Province: Nine Falun Gong Practitioners Arrested for Their Faith in One Day
