(Minghui.org) Eight practitioners from Changqing District in Jinan City, Shandong Province, were arrested on August 14, 2014 for talking to the public about the persecution of Falun Gong. Four of them are being detained at the Changqing and Jinan Detention Centers, and the other four were released on bail.

Changqing District Court approved their arrests on September 19 and tried them on January 13, 2015. The court was heavily guarded on the day of the trial, and most of the practitioners' family members weren't allowed to attend, including Mr. Li Weiguo's 97-year-old father. No verdict were issued after the trial.

The practitioners' defense lawyers reported unlawful interference from the authorities: for example, when the lawyers went to Changqing District Court to look up the practitioners' files on December 29, they were followed by two plainclothes officers. The court president received phone calls from Domestic Security police asking for the lawyers’ identification. Police also threatened the lawyers.

Four Arrested in Changqing District

Four practitioners were arrested by Changqing District Police on August 14, 2014 for talking to the public about the persecution of Falun Gong. They used Ms. Yao Chuanfen's car and had been followed by police during an earlier visit on July 26, 2014.

Mr. Li Weiguo (李卫国), 60, is detained at Changqing District Detention Center.

Ms. Wang Hongfeng (王红凤), 72, had previously been detained for one year at a forced labor camp, starting in August 2007. Although she was diagnosed with tuberculosis, she was still detained for 37 days until her high blood pressure reached dangerous levels.

Ms. Yao Chuanfen (姚传芬), 66, was released on medical parole. Her family was fined, and their car, worth 300,000 yuan, was impounded by police.

Ms. Yao Chuanrong (姚传荣), 57, is currently detained at Jinan Detention Center.

Four Other Practitioners Arrested on the Same Day

Ms. Cheng Shuxiang (程淑香), 52, and her son Mr. Zhao Chengyao (赵程耀) were arrested when officers broke into her home on July 2, 2014. Ms. Cheng was transferred to Jinan Brainwashing Center but was able to free herself on August 9. However, she was arrested again on August 14. Both are being detained at Jinan Detention Center, and visitation requests from their family have been denied.

Ms. Sun Moqing (孙默清), 42, was a math teacher at Jinan No. 51 Middle School. She was released on medical parole. She lost her teaching job because she practices Falun Gong.

Ms. Sun Yuzhi (孙玉芝) is currently on medical parole.

Mr. Du Zezhou (杜泽洲), 44, is detained at Changqing District Detention Center. He had previously been arrested several times for his belief.