(Minghui.org) Mr. Dong Shaotai was released in April after spending five and a half years in prison for talking to the public about Falun Gong, a spiritual practice being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party.

His family could not enjoy his newfound freedom, however. The Degan Town, Chongqing, resident died one month later on May 19, as a result of the multiple organ failure he developed during his imprisonment. He was 74.

Mr. Dong was sentenced to seven years following his arrest on September 20, 2009. Due to abuse at the hands of prison guards, he became critically ill and was rushed to the emergency room on multiple occasions. He was eventually released early, only to die shortly afterwards.