(Minghui.org) A 73-year-old Tianjin man is facing indictment for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime.

Mr. Li Shaochen, his wife Ms. Zhang Guizhen, and 26 other Tianjin residents were arrested over the course of two days in early December 2016. The coordinated police raid took place after months of phone tapping and shadowing of these Falun Gong practitioners.

Ms. Zhang was released on the day of her arrest, but Mr. Li has remained in detention. A formal arrest warrant was recently issued, which by law means he now faces indictment.

This is not the first time that the couple has been targeted for practicing Falun Gong. Mr. Li was given forced labor and Ms. Zhang was sentenced to prison in 2001.

The couple, along with 7 other Falun Gong practitioners, was arrested on January 17, 2008. Their son and daughter, who do not practice Falun Gong, were also taken into custody. Both Mr. Li and Ms. Zhang were later given jail time.

Mr. Li’s latest arrest brings back memories for his family of the brutal torture he once suffered in prior detentions. They are extremely concerned about his safety.

Related Report:Tianjin: 18 Falun Gong Practitioners Arrested in Early December