(Minghui.org) A woman in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, was arrested in August 2025, for her faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999. At least twenty other Falun Gong practitioners in Acheng District and Shuangcheng District were also seized on the same day.
It is unclear where Ms. Li Hongmei is being detained. She previously served two labor camp terms totaling four years. Her mother (in her 70s) and brother (43), both Falun Gong practitioners, died in 2000 and 2002, respectively, as a result of the persecution.
Overview of Family’s Suffering
Ms. Li used to suffer from severe tinea manuum (a fungal infection in the hands) and no treatment worked. Blood spots later began appearing on her lower limbs, gradually spreading up to her back. She almost lost the ability to take care of herself. Her child was sickly since birth. Her husband had a slipped disc and spinal stenosis. The whole family lived in misery.
After she took up Falun Gong in July 1995, Ms. Li recovered from all her symptoms. Her husband and child also became healthy. Her mother, Ms. Wen Jingtian, who had been paralyzed on one side of her body, miraculously recovered after just seven days of practicing Falun Gong. Ms. Li’s older brother, Mr. Li Hongbin, also joined them in the practice.
Ms. Li, Mr. Li, and Ms. Wen were all targeted after the persecution of Falun Gong began in July 1999. Mr. Li was twice given forced labor camp terms, in December 2000 and 2002. He died on July 14, 2002, while serving his second labor camp term. He was 43. He was predeceased by his mother, who passed away when he and his sister were both in detention. Ms. Wen was arrested with Ms. Li in October 2000 and witnessed how her daughter was brutally tortured. She went on a hunger strike in protest and was released days later. Ms. Wen faced constant harassment by the authorities and died in late 2000.
Ms. Li’s latest arrest followed four prior arrests. She went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong on September 25, 1999, and was arrested. After 115 days of detention, she was released, but not before she was forced to pay 10,000 yuan. Seven days later, she was arrested again and detained for another 113 days. Her family was forced to pay 1,000 yuan.
Ms. Li returned to Beijing on October 15, 2000, and was arrested and given one year of forced labor. She faced constant harassment after she was released in October 2001. Once, the police banged on her door for a long time. She refused to let them in, and they eventually left.
After another arrest on March 13, 2002, Ms. Li was given three years of forced labor. Shortly after she was admitted to the Wanjia Labor Camp in Harbin, her brother was also taken there, to serve an unknown forced labor term. They were not allowed to talk to each other. Unbeknownst to them, that was the last time they would see each other, as Mr. Li died on July 14, 2002, after he was transferred to the Changlinzi Forced Labor Camp.
See the related reports for details of the siblings’ persecution and torture in custody.
Related Reports:
New Cases of Falun Gong Practitioners Who Died After Being Drugged While In Custody (Graphic Photos)
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