(Minghui.org) Hundreds of residents from Wuliang Village, Yuzou City, signed a petition calling for the release of Falun Gong practitioners Mr. Xu Suijiang (徐遂江) and Mr. Lu Songlin (芦松林).

Both were arrested by officers from the Changge City Police Department for distributing Falun Gong materials in June 2014.

Additionally, the Village Commission submitted an official document stating that neither practitioner had ever committed any crimes and also asked for their release.

Mr. Xu's wife and Mr. Lu's daughter delivered the petition and official documents to judge Zhao Minghui at the Changge Court on January 14, 2015. The judge accepted the petition, but he claimed that he did not have the authority to make such decisions.

The family tried to meet with Huang Lihua, the prosecutor at the Changge City Procuratorate. Huang refused to meet with them, but was willing to be contacted by phone.

When the family pointed out that practicing Falun Gong falls under the freedom of belief granted by the Chinese constitution, Huang replied, “It doesn't matter—it's what we say that counts.” Huang told the family to go see the judge.

The family met with Zhao Kunling, the officer who arrested the practitioners, at the Changge City Domestic Security Division. They asked for the return of the keys, cellphones, and money Zhao had confiscated. Zhao, giving them the run-around, claimed that officers at the Houhe Town Police Station were responsible.

The family called the chief of the Changge City Police Department, but he hung up on them in the middle of the conversation.

Participants in the persecution of Mr. Xu and Mr. Lu:Zhao Minghui (赵明辉), judge, Chengge City Court: +86-374-6110589, +86-13849852255 (Cell)Huang Lihua (黄丽华), prosecutor, Changge City Procuratorate: +86-374-6891161, +86-15237489555 (Cell)Zhao Kunling (赵坤岭), deputy captain, Changge City Police Department Domestic Security Division: +86-18839902323 (Cell)