(Minghui.org) Since her parents were sentenced for practicing Falun Gong three-and-half years ago, Ms. Zhao Qingqing, a college student, has never been allowed to visit her father, who is currently serving a 7-year term at Jiazhou Prison in Leshan City.
Her mother, Ms. Li Changqiu, is also serving a 7-year term at Chengdu Women’s Prison. She is allowed to receive visitors once a year and to call her family once a month.
The prison guards demanded Ms. Zhao obtain a certificate proving her relationship with her father, Mr. Zhao Banghai, from the Domestic Security Division in his hometown in Pingchang County in order to grant her a visit.
But a staff member at the Domestic Security Division refused to issue the certificate because Mr. Zhao refused to renounce his faith.
Having been kept in the dark of his situation in the past 4.5 years since his arrest, the young woman is very worried about him.
Ms. Zhao used to be the apple of the eye of her parents. She was brilliant, bright, and very good at playing zither.
But everything changed when the police arrested her parents in front of her on July 8, 2014. The then-teenager cried out loud. She said she couldn't understand why the police arrested her parents, who strove to be good people by practicing Falun Gong and following its principles of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”
Under extreme distress, she became withdrawn. She often cut herself and locked herself in her room.
Once a healthy girl, she suffered from acute stomachaches and lost consciousness several times. Her doctor said she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
After one year of detention, her parents appeared in court on July 21, 2015. Both of them were sentenced to seven years.
Distressed, both of Ms. Zhao's maternal grandparents passed away less than two years after the couple's arrest.
Ms. Zhao is now attending college in Dujiangyan City and faces financial hardship with her parents imprisoned.
Sichuan Couple Sentenced to 7 Years for Practicing Falun Gong