(Minghui.org) Ms. Yang Shuhua and Ms. Yang Shujun have been persecuted for practicing Falun Gong since 2007, leading to the deaths of their mother, aunt and uncle; Shujun's divorce; and financial difficulties.

The sisters opened a hair salon in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. They were sincere and kind and always thought about the wellbeing of their customers. As a result they were highly respected, and their business did very well. Then the authorities started harassing and arresting them for practicing Falun Gong.

Both Sisters Arrested – Mother Passes Away Due to Stress

Ms. Yang Shujun was on her way to work on March 6, 2007, when officers from the Fuqinglu Police Station arrested her. When her sister, Ms. Yang Shuhua, came out of the salon to stop them, they ended up arresting her, too. They were sent to the Pi County Detention Center in Chengdu City for 37 days.

Their 70-year-old mother and Ms. Yang Shujun's primary school daughter were left on their own, which was very difficult for their mother. The situation also caused financial losses for their family. Their mother was so distraught that she became ill and passed away in 2008.

Because Ms. Yang Shujun did not give up her belief, her husband and other family members couldn't take the pressure from the 610 Office. Her husband divorced her.

Zeng Benjun from the Fuqinglu Police Station in the Chenghua District of Sichuan Province and about a dozen officers in nine vehicles went to the hair salon March 13, 2012, and arrested Ms. Yang Shuhua. Then went to her rented residence and confiscated her printer, computer, other items, and cash amounting to 4,000 yuan. That same day, she was taken to Chengdu City "Jurisdiction Enforcement Education Center" (aka the notorious Xinjin Brainwashing Center).

Her sister, Ms. Yang Shujun, went to the Fuqinglu Police Station on March 27, 2012, with the hope of explaining the facts about Falun Gong to them so she could get her sister released. Officers from the Fuqinglu Police Station in Chengdu City ended up arresting her and detaining her in the same place, Xinjin Brainwashing Center.

Aunt and Uncle Pass Away, Daughter on Her Own

The day Ms. Yang Shujun was arrested again, her aunt and uncle were so upset and scared that they passed away.

Because both sisters had been arrested, Shujun's school-age daughter was on her own. She was facing all the problems of school and having to handle living expenses, such as paying rent.

When she went to the Xinjin Brainwashing Center to ask her mother what she should do, she was not allowed to see her. She was told, “If you want to visit someone, you have to get permission from the Chenghua District in Chengdu City. All we do is hold them here. If they give up their belief in Falun Gong, they could be released.”

Her mother, Ms. Yang Shujun, was not released until November 21, 2012.

Constantly Harassed

Chinese Communist Party officials ordered Zhaojia Police Station officers in Renshou County, Sichuan Province, to go to Ms. Yang Shuhua's home to harass her on May 29, 2013. They drew her blood against her will and took her fingerprints.

The Fuqinglu Police Station officers and the Domestic Security Department in Chengdu City and Chenghua District Community Comprehensive Management Committee went to the hair salon again on June 5, 2013, and confiscated two desktop computers, two laptops, three E-books, and 300 yuan in cash from the daughter. They then arrested the siblings again.

After that, Ms. Yang Shujun was held in the Xinjin Brainwashing Center. Her sister, Shuhua, was secretly held in Sanyang Hotel in Renshou County by the Renshou County 610 Office and the county government, and her movements were restricted. The Renshou County 610 Office threatened her for several days.

The 610 Office and county government officials went to see the sisters' brother on June 11. They demanded that he hand over 20,000 yuan, as well as a written guarantee statement promising not to practice Falun Gong. They said that, if he didn't, they would have him arrested as well and would not allow the family to do business again.

Related Article: Ms. Yang and Her Sister from Chengdu City Arrested Again, Fuqinglu Police Station Responsible