(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Zhao Zonghua, an elementary school teacher, was restrained on a tiger bench while she was interrogated. Her son, who does not practice Falun Gong, was also tortured on a tiger bench.

Mother and Son Illegally Arrested

Over a dozen police officers broke into Ms. Zhao's home at around 4 p.m. on September 17, 2014. They arrested her and her son and confiscated a computer, printer, three cellphones, and many Falun Gong books.

Officers from the Chengbei Domestic Security Division, Xiaoqiao Police Station, and Mafang Police Station participated in the arrests.

Ms. Zhao was tied to the tiger bench while being interrogated. She was taken to the Ershilipu Detention Center the following day.

Ms. Zhao's son is not a Falun Gong practitioner, but he was also tied to a tiger bench and interrogated for four hours. He was released at about 2 a.m. on September 18.

Torture illustration: Tiger bench

Persecuted at School

Ms. Zhao, who is from Xining City, Qinghai Province, was regarded among her colleagues and to her students at the Chaoyang Elementary School as an excellent teacher. However, she was demoted and her salary reduced after the persecution of Falun Gong began. She was eventually forced to clean the school toilets.

The school stopped paying her altogether in February 2008. She was also sent to a forced labor camp.

Ms. Zhao's Husband Passes Away after Release

Ms. Zhao and her husband, Mr. Wei Haiming, were arrested in December 15, 2007, and were both sentenced to five years in prison.

Mr. Wei passed away in July 2013 at the age of 58, shortly after being released.