(Minghui.org) Two women in their 60s are still held in detention more than two months after their arrests for refusing to renounce their faith in Falun Gong. Their family are calling for their release ahead of the Chinese New Year.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a mind-body improvement practice that has been severely persecuted by the communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Yang Chaoqin (also known as Yang Chaoqun), 65, and Ms. Liu Xuecui, 69, from Songzi City, Hubei Province, were arrested by officers from the Mishi Township Police Station on November 27, 2018.

Officers from the Babao Township Police Station ransacked their homes several times.

Ms. Yang and Ms. Liu were detained at the Songzi City Detention Center for 15 days and then transferred to the Gong'an Town Detention Center on December 12.

Their families were denied visitation by the Songzi City Domestic Security Division.

Both women are now facing further prosecution after the procuratorate approved their arrests.