(Minghui.org) A resident of Changchun City, Jilin Province, was arrested with his 80-year-old mother on April 15, 2021, for practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual and meditation practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since 1999. As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the CCP’s founding, authorities have arrested at least eight Falun Gong practitioners in the city in preparation for the centennial celebration.
Mr. Zhang Jian, 47, was home with his mother, Ms. Zhu Shuling, on April 15, when over a dozen police officers broke into their apartment. After Mr. Zhang and his mother were taken to Dongshenlu Police Station, police searched their apartment and confiscated Falun Gong books and other personal items.
Ms. Zhu was released on bail that evening. Mr. Zhang was taken to Changchun City Detention Center, also known as Weizigou Detention Center. He was given 15 days of administrative detention. However, when the detention period was over on April 30, police transferred him to the Changchun No. 3 Detention Center even though he didn’t pass the required medical examination.
A Family Persecuted
Mr. Zhang had an accident as a child and lost sight in one eye. He was about to go blind in his other eye when he started practicing Falun Gong and was able to retain vision in that eye.
Because of health reasons, he could not work. But he does his best to work around the house, including taking care of his parents and his brother's children.
Mr. Zhang’s father, who also practiced Falun Gong, was once given a labor camp term. He became seriously ill upon returning home and was bedridden for two years before passing away.
Mr. Zhang's older brother was sentenced to 14 years in prison for practicing Falun Gong. He was forced to give up his belief after being tortured at Jilin Prison. He was released in 2011.
Mr. Zhang has been imprisoned twice for his faith. After he was released from the prison the second time, he was taken to Xinglongshan Brainwashing Center and detained there for another six months until the brainwashing center was dissolved. After he returned home, his eyesight deteriorated even more, but his faith in Falun Gong never wavered.
Other Arrests
The day before Mr. Zhang and his mother's latest arrests, three other practitioners were taken by police from Dongzhan Police Station. Jiang Lijuan, Sun Zhentia, and Mrs. Geng were given 15 days of administrative detention each.
Mr. Li Peng, a 42-year-old practitioner, was arrested after police waited outside his apartment all night. He was also given 15 days of administrative detention. On April 20, Mr. Xie Rongchun and his wife, Ms. Xu Linan, were taken by police from Balibao Police Station and detained.
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