(Clearwisdom.net) Laishui County, Hebei Province is less than sixty miles from Beijing. Since July 20, 1999, many Falun Dafa practitioners in China have suffered brutal persecution. The Laishui County Police Department and Yi County Police Department conspired to illegally sentence five practitioners to very long terms of imprisonment in August 2001.

Mr. Shi Wenshui, from Zugezhuang Village in Wangcun Township of Laishui County, was sentenced to nine years in prison. He is being held in Yidong Prison, located in Tangshan City of Hebei Province. Mr. Shi is a veteran and used to work at Beijing West Station. Since his arrest, his son had to quit school (1) and his wife supports the family alone.

Mr. Zhang Changsheng sentenced to ten years

Mr. Zhang Changsheng was sentenced to ten years. He is being held in the Fourth Prison in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province.

Mr. Yan Hequan sentenced to eleven years

Mr. Yan Hequan, from Beilongquan Village in Shiting Township of Laishui County, was sentenced to eleven years. He is being held in Baoding Prison, located in Baoding City of Hebei Province. His wife and children now live a very difficult life without his income. His two daughters had to quit school.

Mr. Cao Xiaogang sentenced to thirteen years

Mr. Cao Xiaogang, from Hujiazhuang Village in Hujiazhuang Township of Laishui County, is currently being held in Baoding Prison. His wife and son are also being persecuted by the Laishui County government. His wife is currently detained in a forced labor camp.

Mr. Zhang Dongsheng sentenced to fifteen years

Mr. Zhang Dongsheng worked for the local tax bureau of Laishui County. He is being held at the Fourth Prison in Shijiazhuang City. His family was notified of the sentence by phone after his trial. Six of his teeth were knocked out during beatings at the prison. Mr. Zhang's wife Ms. Liu Jinying was sentenced to five years. Their daughter has not lived with her parents since the first grade. Mr. Zhang's father couldn't bear the news of the sentencing and passed away. Mr. Zhang's mother suffers from hemiplegia, but no one is available to take care of her.

We hope that international human rights organizations and the WOIPFG (World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong) can investigate and expose those who are responsible for the persecution of the above-mentioned practitioners.

(1) Many children of persecuted Falun Gong practitioners are forced to quit school because they can no longer afford the tuition and often face extra pressure from teachers and administration because their parent(s) practice Falun Gong.