(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Dafa practitioner Mr. Liu Zhimin from Acheng City, Heilongjiang Province was illegally arrested on June 9, 2005 for hanging a banner that read "Truth Compassion Forbearance." Three months later he was sentenced to four years in prison, although no incriminating evidence was found.

Liu Zhimin was 31 years old and lived at the Auditing Bureau Family Dormitory. He used to have a bad temper, but after learning Falun Gong he conducted himself according to Truth, Compassion, Forbearance. He quit his bad habits and his family also benefited from his changes. In 2000, Liu Zhimin was arrested and sent to the Acheng City Detention Center for practicing Falun Gong. He was held for over two months and the police extorted 500 yuan from him.

At 10:00 a.m. on June 9, 2005, a group of police officers stopped Liu Zhimin in front of the dormitory building and dragged him into a car. Liu Zhimin shouted, "Why are you arresting me? What did I do?" His parents heard him and went downstairs, trying to stop the police. The police later ransacked Liu Zhimin's home and took Dafa books.

Liu Zhimin was taken to the Minzhu Police Department in Acheng City. Zhang Guomin and Xu Shifei tortured and interrogated him. They questioned Liu Zhimin about the source of Dafa books. They whipped him with leather belts, and verbally abused and beat him when he refused to answer. Liu Zhimin was sent to the Acheng City Detention Center later that night where he has been held for over three months. Mr. Liu experienced chest tightness and difficulty breathing while in detention. He was sent to a hospital for emergency treatment. After his condition improved slightly, he was sent back to the detention center.

On September 5, 2005, the Acheng City Court tried Liu Zhimin in an illegal procedure. They notified Mr. Liu's family of the trial. Liu Zhimin was not allowed to have a lawyer, and no one besides his family was allowed in the courtroom. Four judges held this secret trial. The judge read a document saying Liu Zhimin was "hanging a banner that reads 'Truth, Compassion, Forbearance'" and within half an hour the trial was over.

Liu Zhimin has elderly parents and a young daughter. He is the sole breadwinner in a family of five. His wife is sick and his family can't afford the school tuition for his daughter because of Liu Zhimin's incarceration. His father was severely traumatized by the sudden turn of events and cried whenever he met someone. His mother suffered a relapse of her old illnesses. His parents asked their daughter, who lives out of town, to move in with them and take care of the broken family.

When Liu Zhimin's family went to the Minzhu Police Department and asked a deputy about Liu Zhimin the deputy said, "It's none of our business! Go to the court." His family said, "We are his family! How can we not care about him? Aren't you, the police, supposed to serve the people? What's with your attitude?" The deputy answered, "You are not 'the people'. You are family members of a Falun Gong practitioner." Liu Zhimin's family said, "Aren't Falun Gong practitioners people as well? Don't they have rights?" The deputy got mad and said, "Then go to the government and appeal against us. Tell them that I refused to receive you."

On September 26, Liu Zhimin's family went to the court and found deputy court administrator Han Yang. They asked him about Liu Zhimin and were told his case had been reported to Harbin City and a response was expected soon. On September 27, his family received a phone call and was told Liu Zhimin was holding a hunger strike. The persecutors demanded 2,000 yuan from his family to cover "medical expenses," but his family did not have the money. They went to the detention center and asked to see Liu Zhimin. The guards demanded a 100 yuan "reception fee."

When Liu Zhimin's family saw him, they learned that his verdict had been issued four days earlier. He had gone on a hunger strike right after he received the verdict because he thought it was unjust. Obviously, Han Yang was lying to the family and concealing the fact that the verdict was sent to Liu Zhimin on September 22.

When he met with his family, Liu Zhimin said repeatedly, "I'm innocent! I shouldn't be here. There is nothing wrong with being a good person."

His family went to the Acheng City 610 Office many times but the officials made up excuses and denied any responsibility.

After Liu Zhimin's family went to many sources and appealed for help, a lawyer wrote an appeal for them.

Here, we want to call attention to the illegal incarceration of Liu Zhimin, as we must end the persecution of innocent people.