(Minghui.org) A Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province resident developed pleural effusion (excessive fluid in chest and lungs) as a result of the abuse he suffered at Fengtun Prison for refusing to renounce Falun Gong. Though he is recovering after being moved to Tailai Prison, the new prison has refused to allow his lawyer to meet with him.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a mind-body improvement practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.
When Mr. Li Shunjiang's family visited him at Tailai Prison on September 11, 2019, he slowly walked out with the help of a prison guard. He was emaciated and his voice was low and weak.
The guard told his family that Mr. Li just had a procedure to drain the fluid in his chest and lungs. The guard said he developed the condition at Fengtun Prison, and he was improving after being transferred to Tailai Prison in early August 2019.
Mr. Li's family hired a lawyer to file a complaint against Fengtun Prison for the abuse, but guards at Tailai Prison denied the lawyer's request to meet with him to gather more information.
In addition to Mr. Li, two other practitioners who were arrested and sentenced together with him were also tortured at Fengtun Prison.
Mr. Zhang Fuhai was shocked by electric batons, sprayed with chili water and beaten by the guards until he lost consciousness.
Mr. Tian Yong's eyes were sprayed with chili water and his private parts were kicked by the guards, which remain swollen when his family recently visited him at Tailai Prison. Mr. Tian also developed kidney stones and suffers from acute back pain.
The three men were arrested together in a police sweep on March 21, 2017. They and six others first appeared in Tiefeng District Court on December 26, 2017 and then between June 5 and 7, 2018.
The judge sentenced the nine practitioners on June 28, 2018. Their lawyers didn't receive the notice until July 24.
Mr. Li, Mr. Tian, Ms. Wang Aihua, Mr. Zhang Liqun, Mr. Gao Fuping, Mr. Zhao Yi were sentenced to three years. Mr. Zhao was also fined 20,000 yuan. Mr. Zhang Fuhai was given two years and ten months. They were sent to Fengtun Prison on November 29, 2018.
Mr. Zhang Shimin was sentenced to two years and eight months, with three years of probation. He was fined 20,000 yuan.
Ms. Song Yulan was sentenced to one year and six months with two years' probation. She was fined 10,000 yuan.
Mr. Li is an engineer. Prior to his latest sentencing, he served nine years between 2001 and 2010 at Tailai Prison, also for his faith.
He was subjected to various tortures at the detention center following his latest arrest, including having his head covered with a plastic bag and teeth brushed with urine. An officer poked his foot with a small knife and poured alcohol and salt over the wound.
Related reports:
16 Arrested in Heilongjiang for Their Faith: 3 Sentenced, 9 Awaiting Trial
Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province: More Than a Dozen Arrested for Their Faith, 14 still In Detention
