(Minghui.org) Ms. Chen Yongchun, 50, developed diabetes while imprisoned for her faith. By the time she was released on October 18, 2020, she had lost most of her vision. She was also disoriented and emaciated.

Ms. Chen, who is from Yingkou City, Liaoning Province, was arrested on October 19, 2015, for suing Jiang Zemin, the former head of the Chinese Communist Party who ordered the persecution of her faith Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) in 1999.

The police ransacked her home and confiscated over 40 Falun Gong books, a photo of Falun Gong’s founder, Falun Gong materials, a laptop, a printer, a cellphone, two media players, and other personal belongings.

She tried to clarify the facts about Falun Gong and urged the police officers not to take part in the persecution. They responded, “How dare you still talk about it? We’re arresting you so that we can get a bonus.”

During the year and seven months she was held in Yingkou City Detention Center, the guards restrained her in a spread-eagle position on a board three times because she shouted “Falun Dafa is good” in protest. She was left on the board around the clock and was only let down when she needed to use the restroom or eat. The inmates stuffed her mouth with rags if she shouted “Falun Dafa is good” again. The guards also instigated the inmates to pour water into her nose or step on her chest. She suffocated and almost fainted.

Torture reenactment: Restrained in a spread-eagle position

The guards barred others from talking to Ms. Chen and constantly berated her. She was also forced to do long hours of unpaid labor. When she refused to comply, the guards beat her.

Ms. Chen was sentenced to five years by the Bayuquan District Court in early 2017 and transferred to Shenyang Women’s Prison in May.

After one month of intensive torture and brainwashing, she was assigned to the workshop to do unpaid labor. Diagnosed with diabetes in 2019, she was hospitalized three times, but her condition worsened.

By the time she was released on October 18, her husband was heartbroken to see the emaciated and haggard woman in front of him. Despite her condition, the police continue to harass her at home, and she still lives in fear.

Related report:

Liaoning Woman Jailed Five Years for Her Faith, Subjected to Inhuman Torture

Chinese version available

Category: Accounts of Persecution