(Minghui.org)

Mr. Zhang Hongguo's attorney has been having difficulty visiting him.

At 2:30 p.m. on August 5, the attorney went to the Zaoqiang Detention Center to see his client, but the detention center claimed that the Domestic Security Division did not allow the visit. When the attorney explained that it was illegal to keep him from seeing his client, detention center officials told him to talk to the Domestic Security Division in Zaoqiang County.

The attorney went to the Zaoqiang Procuratorate and complained about the detention center. The procuratorate called the detention center and secured the meeting. Eventually, the attorney was able to visit Mr. Zhang.

The police had tortured Mr. Zhang Hongguo by burning his hand with cigarettes.

Torture re-enactment: Burning with cigarettes

The attorney visited the Domestic Security Division on the afternoon of August 6 to ask for the return of Mr. Zhang's car and other personal belongings that the police had confiscated. When he saw officer Ma Jinli at 9 a.m. on August 7, Ma claimed to know nothing about the case. The attorney wrote a letter of protest to the Zaoqiang Procuratorate and the Domestic Security Division on the afternoon of August 7.

First Attorney Also Interfered With

Mr. Zhang Hongguo's family previously hired another attorney for him from Xingtai City, Hebei Province. That attorney was also prevented from seeing Mr. Zhang on July 22. A week later, the attorney withdrew from the case because the authorities threatened to suspend his license and detain him for 3-6 months.

Mr. Zhang Hongguo was arrested along with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild on the morning of May 30, 2014. The police climbed over a wall into his yard and broke the window to get into his home. The police confiscated his computer, printer, and cash, and then drove away with his car.

During the arrest, the police broke into a neighbor's home by mistake. Without showing any ID, the police kicked and beat a young pregnant woman, Liu Lingling, causing her to miscarry.

Entire Family Involved

Mr. Zhang Hongguo, 51, has been persecuted repeatedly. His three children grew up in fear. His daughter-in-law was three months pregnant when the arrest took place. She was so scared that she dared not to stay at home anymore.

The police released his daughter, Zhang Minghui, a month later. The procuratorate approved the arrest of his wife, Ms. Zhang Xizhen. The police also prevented Zhang Xizhen's attorney from seeing her. The Hengshui Detention Center forced Ms. Zhang Xizhen to perform manual labor from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day. She was not allowed to sleep until she finished her quota. She ended up with a heart problem.

Related article:Mr. Zhang Hongguo from Zaoqiang County, Hebei Province, Illegally Arrested Again