(Minghui.org) Mr. Zhang Huidong is an outstanding business manager who always has a sincere and generous smile on his face. He worked as the deputy general manager of a real estate company in Dalian City, and made many significant contributions to the company's development. Yet this outstanding manager was forced to endure 15 years of illegal detention, torture, and harassment, and had to wander about to escape persecution—things that are unimaginable for most people. Why did this happen, and what did he live through in those 15 years?

Mr. Zhang Huidong

According to New Tang Dynasty Television’s report on August 8, 2014, Mr. Zhang was repeatedly persecuted and harassed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the past 15 years because he persisted in his belief in Falun Gong. He was tortured to the point of permanent disability. He also lost his parents due to the harsh persecution.

In order to avoid further persecution, Mr. Zhang escaped from China in June 2014. After many twists and turns he arrived in Washington DC and shared his story.

“The serious persecution that is happening in China, is not only a persecution against Falun Gong, but all Chinese people. Many people do not know the truth yet. It is very valuable that here I can expose the CCP’s evil nature, and tell people the truth about Falun Gong,” Mr. Zhang said.

Benefited Physically and Mentally by Practicing Falun Gong

"I began practicing Falun Gong in May 1998 with my mom, Ms. Chen Lihua's, help. I had undergone surgery in 1997, and my immune system became compromised afterward. Any illness, such as pinkeye or the flu, I would get them all.”

“After I began practicing, my condition changed immediately after just one month."

In addition to the physical benefits, Mr. Zhang is grateful that Falun Gong upgraded his moral character. He said that the principles of Falun Gong, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, helped him to stop obsessing over fame and wealth, and to become more dedicated and hardworking at his job.

"In 2000, not long after the persecution started, my superior told me that it's all about the fact I practice Falun Gong. He told me if I did not practice Falun Gong, I would have definitely been selected as outstanding employee of the year.”

Severely Beaten and Illegally Arrested for Appealing for Justice

Former CCP leader Jiang Zemin launched the persecution against Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. Some practitioners in Dalian City went to the city hall to make a peaceful appeal, but were arrested by authorities. Practitioners continued the appeal at the city hall the next day.

Mr. Zhang recalled, "We were appealing against the illegal arrest of Falun Gong practitioners. But the officers suddenly started to assault us. They pulled us out from the group. They severely beat me in broad daylight, hitting me with a club. My clothes were badly torn during the assault.”

“I even witnessed an elderly, white-haired practitioner being assaulted and beaten to the ground.”

Afterward, Mr. Zhang was repeatedly arrested, tortured, detained, and harassed.

Mr. Zhang was illegally arrested in July 2000, and sent to the brainwashing center affiliated with the Drug Addiction Treatment Center of Dalian Municipal Bureau of Justice, where he was subjected to numerous forms of torture.

Mr. Zhang was arrested from his workplace on February 21, 2001, and sent to the Heishijiao Police Station. His home was later ransacked.

He was interrogated and severely beaten while detained in the police station.

“After we arrived at the police station, I was taken to a room, and police officer Bai Tao immediately started to beat me with punches and kicks, without saying anything. After the assault, he asked me where my laptop was, who I usually contacted, and what articles I had reported and sent to the Minghui website. When I didn't reply, he beat me again. Then another officer came in and beat me as well. After the severe beating, I was locked up in the room.”

Tortured to the Point of Permanent Disability

"Someone suddenly knocked on the door on the morning of August 7, 2001, when I was preparing truth-clarification materials, and a group of police officers broke into my room as I opened the door. They wrapped a rope around my neck, and tightened it until I passed out. When I woke up, I was lying on the floor of the Xiuyue Street Police Station.”

Mr. Zhang said that the police never showed him a search warrant, arrest warrant, or any written documents. Everything they did was carried out without following any legal procedures.

He was interrogated and beaten until 4:00 a.m. the next day, after which he was locked in the interrogation room.

“At 5:00 a.m., I unscrewed the handcuffs, and other police officers found me as I was preparing to leave. I had to jump from a fifth floor bathroom window.”

When he woke up from the coma, he was in the Dalian Municipal Friendship Hospital. The police were afraid of being held responsible, so they left him at the emergency room door and hurried away after contacting his father.

“The reason is very simple.” Mr. Zhang said, “The doctor told them, 'This man is disabled.' At the time, my third, fourth, and fifth lumbar vertebrae were shattered, as were the lateral malleolus bones of both feet. The left heel bone was also shattered, and the brow and nasal bones were fractured. Four teeth were broken.

“In addition, due to severe beatings by police, my right eye was severly swollen. The doctor said that I would be disabled, and on crutches for the rest of my life.”

Swollen right eye after being severely beaten by the police

In critical condition at Dalian Municipal Friendship Hospital after the fall

Evidence of admission to the hospital

Lateral malleolus were removed

Repeatedly Harassed, Parents Pass Away Due to CCP Persecution

Although Mr. Zhang was disabled, officers from the Dalian City Police Department continued harassing and following him.

His father, Mr. Zhang Hongming, was dismissed from work even though he was not a practitioner. The persecution caused him to live in fear every day. Unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure, he became ill and passed away in August 2005.

Mr. Zhang's mother, Ms. Chen Lihua, was arrested many times, and was severely tortured for three years in the Dalian City Forced Labor Camp. She passed away in October 2012.

More information regarding the persecution of Mr. Zhang Huidong:http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2014/8/16/2529.html

Recovering with Firm Belief, and Bringing the Facts to More People

Even though he was seriously injured and disabled, Mr. Zhang was able to get over everything due to his firm belief in Falun Gong.

Mr. Zhang said, “After I was discharged in late September 2001, I started practicing the five sets of exercises. Despite my condition, I practiced all the exercises. As a result, my body has greatly improved. I recovered very fast and was almost able to walk by 2002.”

Although his body recovered and he was able to walk, Mr. Zhang's feet have not yet fully recovered.

“After I was persecuted and fell, my lateral malleolus were removed. After they were removed, the doctor was careless and just put another one in. My bones are misplaced even now. My left heel bone was gone, and they just placed a rubber pad for support. Especially when I go uphill or downhill, or go upstairs or downstairs, I can only rely on my forefoot. I cannot jump," Mr. Zhang said.

Mr. Zhang managed to escape from China in June 2014, and go to Washington DC, where he can freely practice his belief and do the exercises.

He treasures the opportunity to clarify the truth to Chinese tourists. “The conditions are good here to tell the facts to Chinese people, tell them about the serious persecution that is happening in China.”

He wants to help more Chinese people truly understand the evilness of the CCP, wake them up, and help them quit the CCP to have better futures.

“It is not only a persecution against Falun Gong, but all Chinese people.” said Mr. Zhang.