(Minghui.org) A Qingdao City, Shandong Province resident was admitted to prison on January 13, 2023 to serve a three-year term for his faith in Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline that has been persecuted by the Chinese communist regime since 1999.

Mr. Song Yusheng, 70, was arrested on June 3, 2021 with his wife Ms. Fang Yuying. As both of them developed high blood pressure, they were released six days later.

On August 8, 2022, the police arrested Mr. Song again and held him at the Pudong Detention Center. When his family called officer Dong of the Jimo Domestic Security Office to inquire about his case, they were told that Mr. Song had been sentenced to three years. The family then demanded to visit Mr. Song at the detention center, only to be told that he had been transferred to Jinan Prison. 

Previous Persecution

In the past two decades, Mr. Song has been repeatedly targeted for his faith in Falun Gong, which he credits for curing his severe Hepatitis B.

In the winter of 2000, he went to Beijing to appeal for the right to practice Falun Gong and was arrested halfway. He was kept at the township government for 20 days and released after being extorted 1,000 yuan.

Mr. Song was arrested again in the spring of 2001 and given three years at the Qingdao City Forced Labor Camp after one month at the Jimo City Detention Center. 

Mr. Song’s next arrest was on January 1, 2010 for talking to people about Falun Gong. He was taken to the Zhangqiu Forced Labor Camp on January 15, 2010 to serve a 1.5-year term. Within four months of detention, he developed a severe heart condition, high blood pressure, cholecystitis and a liver problem. On the verge of death, he was released. 

While talking to people about Falun Gong at a farmers’ market on June 19, 2012, Mr. Song was reported and subsequently arrested. He was beaten by the inmates at the Jimo Detention Center and suffered severe injuries. He was then released on bail. 

Mr. Song was arrested one more time on August 11, 2013 for raising awareness about the persecution. Within a few days, the Jimo City Court secretly sentenced him to 3.5 years. He was taken to the Jinan Prison on August 28, 2013. 

When Mr. Song’s family went to the prison to visit him on September 10, 2013, the guards rejected them with the excuse that he was too weak to walk. Only after their strong demand did the prison finally grant the visit. Mr. Song was carried out by two inmates. His family was outraged and demanded the guards to release him. Yet the guards responded that they wouldn’t release him unless he was dying.

Related reports:

Practitioner Mr. Song: “The guards and prisoners are to be blamed”

Mr. Song Yusheng from Shandong Province Sentenced without a Trial

Mr. Song Yusheng Sent to Prison Just 17 Days After Arrest

Mr. Song Yusheng Near Death Due to Persecution Suffered at Zhangqiu Forced Labor Camp