Former Prison Guard Serving Time for His Faith in Serious Condition from Beating

(Minghui.org) A former prison guard serving five years for his faith in Falun Gong is in serious condition, after being beaten for refusing to renounce his faith.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Mr. Dai Qihong, of Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, was arrested during a police sweep on June 25, 2019 and sentenced to five years in the Hulan Prison in October that year. 

The authorities claimed that his latest arrest was a follow-up to his earlier arrest on August 31, 2017, for seeking the release of a detained practitioner. He went on a hunger strike to protest the arbitrary detention and was twice hospitalized. He was released on bail on March 6, 2018.

While the Aimin District Court later handed down Mr. Dai a prison sentence with an unknown term and ordered the police to take him to Hulan Prison, both the prison and the local detention detention center refused to accept him after he failed the required physical examination. He was released on bail again, before being re-arrested and admitted to the prison one year later.

Since the pandemic broke out in 2020, Wei Yuchuan, the prison head, and Deng Xiaogeng, the head of the correction ward, ordered even more strict management of incarcerated Falun Gong practitioners. Many were forced to sit on small stools all day long and not allowed to move. Those who refused to renounce Falun Gong were held in solitary confinement and denied family visits. 

Because Mr. Dai persisted in doing Falun Gong exercises in the prison, he was often beaten by the guards and became emaciated. His gallbladder was ruptured following a recent beating and he is now is serious condition.

Prior to his latest prison term, Mr. Dai, a former guard at Mudanjiang Prison, was arrested on March 20, 2008, and sentenced to five years. He endured savage beatings, force-feedings, and being hung up by the wrists and shocked with electric batons. The guards also deprived him of sleep and forced him to sit on a small stool for long hours. He had injuries all over and was emaciated.

His wife divorced him and he was fired from his job while he was incarcerated. He was destitute after his release.

Perpetrators’ contact information:

Wei Yuchuan (魏玉川), president of Hulan Prison: [phone], [phone]Deng Xiaogeng (邓晓庚), head of correction ward

Related reports:

Former Prison Guard Given Second Prison Term for His Faith in Falun Gong

Man Rushed to Emergency Room for Second Time in Less Than 3 Months of His Detention, Family Threatened to Stay Away from Him

Repeatedly Incarcerated for His Faith, Former Police Officer’s Life in DangerMr. Dai Qihong in Critical Condition

Dai Qihong, a Good Policeman, Tortured with Electric Batons in Jiamusi Prison

Practitioners Mr. Hou Xicai and Mr. Dai Qihong Sentenced to Imprisonment