Mr. Yin Hongtao, 36, has been handicapped since childhood. He was bedridden and had difficulty speaking. In mid-March of 1998, he learned Falun Dafa. He practiced both the Falun Dafa exercises and principles diligently and soon his health improved. He not only got out of bed, he returned to work, and he continued to work for the next two years. He conducted himself according to the principle of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.

When the persecution started on July 20, 1999, Yin Hongtao continued to practice Falun Dafa. In 2000, the Yangming Police Station in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province dispatched police officers to his home. They ordered him to write a statement denouncing Falun Gong, and that if he signed his name to it they would allow him to practice at home and not bother him again. Yin Hongtao firmly refused to sign. The police officers then pressured Yin Hongtao's father. Unable to withstand the police threats and coercion, Yin Hongtao signed his name on the statement. After he wrote the statement, the police continued to go to his home to harass him. He was forbidden to practice Falun Gong, even at home. Soon his illnesses resurfaced and Yin Hongtao had to stay in bed. On February 22, 2004, (on the Chinese calendar) he passed away.

Before he passed away he was visited by some Falun Gong practitioners. He told them that he would continue to practice in the future, but that he was not able to fulfill his wish at the present time. Yin Hongtao's death made his father very sad and regretful for having submitted to the persecution, which resulted in the loss of his son.

Yin Hongtao is one of many in China who was persecuted to death in this way.