(Minghui.org) A Yongjing County, Gansu Province resident recently returned home after serving 3.5 years for practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.
After living away from home for 10 years to avoid being persecuted for his faith, Mr. Dang Cunping, in his 40s, was reported to the police and arrested on the day of the 2006 Chinese New Year, shortly after he returned home to see his family.
A group of officers scaled the fence and broke into Mr. Dang’s home on February 8, 2016. When his under-aged son attempted to protect his father from being taken away, the police also beat and kicked him. One officer put the boy in a chokehold, while others scratched his face and neck, which were then covered with blood.
The police also took the boy to the local police station. It took several tries by Mr. Dang's family to take him home.
Mr. Dang’s lawyer was kept in the dark of his case status and denied visits with him by the local detention center. Only when he went to the procuratorate to review his case in March did he learn that Mr. Dang had been indicted and his case had been moved to the court.
Mr. Dang appeared in Yongjing County Court on May 10, 2016. His lawyer entered a not guilty plea for him.
Mr. Dang was sentenced to 3.5 years around August 2016 and sent to Lanzhou Prison in October. The guards beat him, forced him to stand for long hours and wear a straitjacket. He was also deprived of sleep and food.
Related report:
Gansu Man Arrested During Chinese New Year Celebration, Son Beaten
