(Minghui.org) On the afternoon of May 13, 2012, “World Falun Dafa Day,” the Huaian police in Jiangsu Province arrested 13 local Falun Gong practitioners.
On Sunday May 13, 2012, at about 2 p.m., practitioners went to the home of 79-year-old Ms. Xu Baozhen, which is near Dazhakou, Qingjiang, Huaian, to study the Fa and practice the exercises. There were 14 people in total at Ms. Xu's home, including 12 women and two men. Aside from a child, the practitioners were all retirees over the age of 50: Ms. Zhen Rufang, 80, and her son, Xu Chunlin; Ms. Jin Xue; Ms. Qiu Yueling; Ms. Cui Xuiying, in her 70s; Ms. Wang Xiulan, in her 70s; Ms. Chen Guiqin, about 60; Ms. Chen Guizhen, in her 70s; Ms. Wu Yanping, in her 70s; Ms. Wang Rongrong, in her 60s; and Mr. Min Yutang, in his 60s. Ms. Zhang Suying, 59, brought her five-year-old granddaughter to join in group study at about 3 p.m.
At about 4 p.m., sisters Ms. Chen Guizhen and Ms. Chen Guiqin were about to go home. When they opened the door, dozens of police officers who were waiting outside rushed in and seized everyone present. The police ransacked Ms. Xu's home and took away pictures of Master Li, Falun Dafa books, DVDs, etc. They did not present any legal documents. An officer beat Mr. Xu Chunlin because he resisted arrest. Ms. Qiu Yueling was dragged into a police vehicle because she refused to go. At that time, Ms. Zheng Rufang was not taken away. All the others, including the child, were taken to the Zhaokou Police Station and interrogated.
Ms. Xu Baozhen, Ms. Wu Yanping, Ms. Cui Xiuying, Ms. Wang Xiulan, and Ms. Chen Guizhen were released in 24 hours. Ms. Zheng Suying's granddaughter was picked up by her family that night. Ms. Jin Xue, Ms. Qiu Yueling, Ms. Chen Guiqin, Ms. Wang Rongrong, Mr. Xu Chunlin, and Mr. Min Yutang were sent to the Huaian Detention Center.
According to personnel from the 610 Office, Ms. Zhang Suying and the other practitioners have been sent to a brainwashing center. However, he refused to disclose the location or say how long they would be detained.
About 100 people witnessed the incident. According to witnesses, there were 30 or 40 officers and several police vehicles. The officers were from two police branches in the Qinghe and Qingpu districts. It was a planned arrest.
