Name: Guo Xiaojun (郭小军)
Gender: Male
Age: 40's
Address: Shanghai
Occupation: Former lecturer, Computer Science Department, Shanghai Jiaotong University
Date of Most Recent Arrest: January 7, 2010
Most Recent Place of Detention: Tilanqiao Prison (提篮桥监狱)
City: Shanghai
Persecution Suffered: Detention, brainwashing, illegal sentencing, beatings, sleep deprivation, home ransacking, torture, forced labor, denial of restroom use
(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Guo Xiaojun, a former lecturer in the Computer Science Department at Shanghai Jiaotong University, was incarcerated at Tilanqiao Prison in Shanghai for his belief in November 2010. Prior to the prison term Mr. Guo was detained and interrogated at the Baoshan Police Department, which resulted in his experiencing frequent bouts of intermittent blindness. This condition has worsened at Tilanqiao Prison. The prison officials have denied his family's request for medical parole several times because Mr. Guo has refused to renounce his belief.
When Mr. Guo’s family and a lawyer visited the prison, the lawyer was not allowed to meet with Mr. Guo. His family was ordered to provide the prison with Mr. Guo's authorization to hire a lawyer. But several days later an agent surnamed Yang from the prison visitation office called back and asked for documentation about the lawyer’s license, saying that otherwise the prison would not allow Mr. Guo to sign the lawyer's authorization. Family members were surprised by the demand, and asked the police to provide a written statement for the request. “We have no obligation to do that,” Yang answered. The family told him that the prison was deliberately making things difficult for Mr. Guo and that this was against the law. They also indicated that they would file a complaint with the authorities. Yang expressed indifference and retorted, “It’s up to you.”
After Baoshan District Domestic Security agents arrested Guo Xiaojun on January 7, 2010, he was subjected to extended interrogation. The police pointed a strong spotlight directly at Mr. Guo's eyes for a long time, which caused blurred vision and temporary blindness. In November 2010, Mr. Guo’s family members managed to visit him at Tilanqiao Prison. When they made a request to provide some winter clothing for him, the prison officials refused. A head guard said it would be a violation of prison rules.
After consulting with eye doctors, the family learned that Mr. Guo’s frequent bouts of temporary blindness are called “retinal artery spasms,” which is a dangerous condition, comparable to myocardial infarction and severe angina. If the condition occurs too frequently, it can cause vessel infarction and without proper treatment the patient may face permanent blindness.
Under pressure from his family, in May 2011 the prison took Mr. Guo to the Shanghai No.1 Hospital for an examination. During the hospital trip the police covered his head with a black shroud and had him in handcuffs and shackles. The hospital visit exacerbated his condition. He experienced pressure in his chest, high blood pressure, and his vision became worse.
In addition to Mr. Guo's poor vision and generally weak health, the prison has also denied him adequate meals. His family has repeatedly asked the prison and higher authorities to release him so he can receive adequate medical care.
In a visit in April, the family learned that Mr. Guo had suffered another bout of temporary blindness several days prior, which lasted more than 40 minutes. They remembered the doctor’s warning: if the patient does not get emergency treatment when the temporary blindness lasts more than 40 minutes, he could face permanent blindness. The family reminded the prison of this situation, but so far they have not received any response.
Related article: “Mr. Guo Xiaojun, Former Lecturer at Shanghai Transportation University, in Life-threatening Situation ( http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2011/11/16/129503.html#.T8jOkfkrpTI )
Shanghai Tilanqiao Prison
Operator: +86-21-55589900
Prison head: Dai Weidong
General office section head: Wang Yong, Ext. 1511
Prison Zone Five: +86-21-55589900
Head of Prison Zone Five: Liu Wei, Ext. 2510st
