(Minghui.org) Mr. Gong Maohai, a 60-year-old resident of Mengyin County, Shandong Province, had been previously imprisoned for 12 years for his belief in Falun Gong. Four years after he was released from prison, he was arrested again and is facing a new round of persecution for his faith.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a self-improvement practice based on meditation and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The Communist Party began to suppress the practice in July 1999, and a large number of practitioners have been detained and tortured since then.

Mr. Gong credits Falun Gong for improving his temper and turning him into a kind person who never hesitates to help others. As one of the Falun Gong volunteer coordinators, he was sought by police after the persecution started. To avoid arrest and harassment, Mr. Gong had no choice but to stay away from home.

The 610 Office in Linyi City launched a mass arrest of Falun Gong practitioners in both Mengyin and Yinan County in 2002. The police dispatched many officers and detained a large number of practitioners. Police arrested Mr. Gong on September 20, 2002. After a severe beating and interrogation, he was sent to a brainwashing center and later a detention center.

In March 2003, Mr. Gong was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, one of the longest prison terms against Falun Gong practitioners in the region. Officials deprived his right to appeal and directly took him to Shandong Province Prison.

Inside the prison, Mr. Gong was mistreated for his belief. For telling inmates about Falun Gong, he was kept at an intensified unit in March 2007. Guards instructed inmates to beat and kick him hard. Mr. Gong had bone fractures and was taken to a hospital for resuscitation. He could not get out of bed for nearly a month because of the injuries.

As a result of the lengthy physical and mental abuse, Mr. Gong's hair turned gray and his teeth became loose. He also suffered from hearing loss as his health worsened.

Mr. Gong was granted an early release in 2014. By then, his employment at a local stone factory had long been terminated, his wife had abandoned him, and his daughter had already married.

With no place to stay and nothing to eat, Mr. Gong traveled to Linyi City to do odd jobs to make a living. However, the local 610 Office continued to harass him. They often tracked his location and tapped his phone.

When Mr. Gong visited another practitioner on September 29, 2018, police in Linyi City arrested him and three other practitioners including Ms. Qian Jinhua, Ms. Hu Jinggui, and Ms. Hu Jinghui. Officials also ransacked Mr. Gong's residence and confiscated his personal belongings, including a computer.

All four practitioners are currently held at Hedong District Detention Center in Linyi City. Over four months have passed, and officials reportedly plan to charge them and submit their case to the court.

Key Responsible Agency:

Linyi Detention Center: +86-539-8879903, +86-539-8879901

Related Report:

Several Falun Dafa Practitioners in Mengyin County, Shandong Province, are Illegally Sentenced