(Minghui.org) A middle school teacher has been subjected to torture while imprisoned for upholding her faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual and meditation discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Ms. Liu Xia, of Xinyang City, Henan Province, was arrested on May 24, 2017 after being reported for talking to people about Falun Gong. She was sentenced to four years by the Xinyang City Court on April 25, 2018. Prior to this latest prison sentence, she has been repeatedly arrested and given three years in 2005 for her faith.

Because she refused to renounce Falun Gong, the guards at the ninth ward of Xinxiang Women’s Prison held Ms. Liu in solitary confinement three times between 2018 and 2019. She was starved, deprived of water and sleep, as well as forced to stand for over ten hours each day. Her legs became severely swollen and she had difficulty walking as a result. 

The ninth ward was specially designated to persecute Falun Gong practitioners. There are several other practitioners who have been held in solitary confinement as well.

Ms. Liu Jianxia, of Sanmenxia City, was held in solitary confinement between May and August 2017. She was emaciated and often hospitalized after her health declined due to the torture. 

Ms. Yue Lanxiang, also from Sanmenxia City, was put in solitary confinement in 2017 and 2019. The guards forced her to wear a straitjacket that severely constrained her. She was also starved during the torture. She later vomited and fainted due to the torture and was sent to the hospital for resuscitation.

Ms. Liang Yunying, of Nanyang City, was held in solitary confinement in 2019. 

Ms. Wang Aiqin, of Nanyang City, was closely monitored and given many restrictions in her daily activities. She was held at the eighth ward. 

Related reports:

Liu Xia's Confinement in a Forced Labor Camp Extended "Because of the Olympics"

Middle School Teacher Mr. Liu Xia Again Faces Illegal Sentencing