(Minghui.org) Police in Ruichang, Jiangxi Province, started a new wave of persecution of local Falun Gong practitioners in April. They broke into the practitioners' homes, confiscated their personal belongings, and, worst of all, took one practitioner's son hostage.

Father Turns Himself in to Secure Son's Release

Officers from Pencheng Police Station ransacked Mr. Wang Yiming's home on April 11 and confiscated his personal belongings and cash to the tune of 10,000 yuan.

When they couldn't find Mr. Wang, they took his son as hostage. At the police station, the young man wasn't given any food or water for 24 hours and was not allowed to use the restroom or sleep.

Mr. Wang had no choice but go to the police station and turn himself in exchange for his son's release. Mr. Wang is now being held in Ruichang Detention Center.

Two Women Arrested in One Night

The same police station responsible for Mr. Wang's arrest dispatched eight officers to arrest Ms. Zhao Xiangzhen four days later. They confiscated her computer, printer, and Falun Gong books. She is now being detained in De'an County Detention Center, Jiujiang City.

Late that same night, agents from Saihu Police Station descended upon Ms. He Yuyun's home and confiscated her Falun Dafa books and informational materials. She is now in Ruichang Detention Center.

Five More Have Their Homes Ransacked in May

Entering May, five more practitioners had their homes ransacked by the above two police stations. The police confiscated a portrait of Master Li Hongzhi (the founder of Falun Gong) from Ms. Wang Dongjiao, Falun Gong books from a practitioner surnamed Xia, and a computer from a practitioner surnamed Xiong. Ms. Qi Xiaorui's mother refused to go to the police station with the officers who showed up at her home to harass her.

Most recently, agents from Ruichang City Police Department arrested Ms. Zhu Shui and confiscated a portrait of Master Li on May 18. She was interrogated at the police department for more than 10 hours.

Ms. Zhu was so traumatized by the sudden arrest and the marathon interrogation that she had muscle cramps all over her body. The police released her the next day.

Parties Involved Persecuting These Practitioners:

Zou Yuping (邹于平), chief of Pencheng Police Station;Feng Wenhui (丰文辉), instructor of Pencheng Police Station;Huang Keliang (黄克亮), chief of Saihu Police Station;Yu Yingku (余颖库), head of 610 Office;Tan Jun (谈军), police officer