(Clearwisdom.net) Mudanjiang Prison has often been referred to as a “death camp” due to the brutal treatment that practitioners experience there, including severe torture. The situation worsened in July 2009, a time considered sensitive because it was the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the persecution. In early July, prison officials issued an order to forcibly "transform" practitioners.

Prison officials encouraged the guards in all divisions to torture practitioners at will as long as there were no deaths. The guards can exploit any strategy in order to "transform" all practitioners completely. The guards worked with inmates to beat practitioners and deprive them of sleep. They also removed their clothes, poured cold water on them, or forced them to freeze outdoors when it was lower than -10ºC (14°F). During the past 12 years since the persecution started, 13 practitioners have died as a result of the torture, including Yu Junxiu, Wang Jiguo, Li Ruqing, Pan Xingfu, Wei Xiaodong, Ning Jun, Du Shiliang, Zhang Hongquan, Kong Xiangzhu, Wu Yueqing, Jin Youfeng, Kang Yuncheng, and Bai Shuang.

Some of the practitioners who have died due to torture in Mudanjiang Prison

As 2012 begins, the persecution continues. Because of their belief, even disabled practitioners Mr. Li Yongsheng and Mr. Li Haifeng were deprived of family visits.

Disabled Practitioner Mr. Li Yongsheng Held in Strict Unit and Denied Family Visits

Mr. Li Yongsheng, 41, lives in Dongtai Village, Hongxing Town, Jixi City. Although his legs are disabled, he has a business in Mudanjiang City. The police arrested him on July 2, 2008. His mother traveled 250 kilometers on July 15 to ask the police to release him but they did not.

On the morning of November 28, 2008, Xi'an District Court in Mudanjiang City held a hearing for Mr. Li Yongsheng; Mr. Zhao Boliang and his mother-in-law, Ms. Zhang Yuhua; and Mr. Li Haifeng. In court, Mr. Li Yongsheng stated that guard Peng Fuming tortured him with the “tying the ropes” technique. The rope was wrapped around his arms tightly, from his shoulders to to his wrists. Both arms were then pulled behind the his back and he was hung up, his arms up behind him, for about 90 minutes.

Torture reenactment: Tying the ropes

Court officials sentenced all four practitioners to Mudanjiang Prison, where they were dispatched in each division to labor. Despite his disabled legs, even Mr. Li Yongsheng wasn't an exception.

The guards as well as inmates in Division 14 kicked and beat Mr. Li Yongsheng. They shocked him with high-voltage electric batons. He didn't yield and continued to do the exercises every day. He was subsequently held in a strict unit.

After learning that Mr. Li Yongsheng was being held in a strict unit, his family went to inquire with the prison officials. Prison Management Office agents said that Falun Gong cases were special and threatened them. Li Yan, deputy manager of Division 14, and Zhang Guomin, 610 Office head, both shirked responsibility.

Mr. Li Yongsheng has been kept in the strict unit for nearly three months. Every month on visitation day, his family travels from Jixi City to Mudanjiang to see him, but they have never been allowed to.

Mr. Li Haifeng's Family Hasn't Seen Him for Eight Months

Deputy head Ding Tao in Division 4 has refused to allow Mr. Li Haifeng's family to visit him since May 2011. His mother has gone to the prison eight times but has not been allowed to see him even once. Mr. Li Haifeng has also not been allowed to write letters or make phone calls.

Mr. Li Haifeng has been tortured by the tying the ropes torture many times. He stated in court that the tying the ropes torture was very severe. Although it was five months ago, he still has bruises.

Mr. Li Haifeng was sent to Mudanjiang Prison on February 18, 2009, and transferred to Division 14 on October 9, 2009. Officer Wang Yong shocked his arms simultaneously with two electric batons until the baton batteries were completely depleted. As a result, his arms were blackened with blisters. He was also forced to stand outdoors for an entire day and night with no sleep or food.

Torture reenactment: Shocking with electric batons

Four inmates were assigned to watch each practitioner around the clock, even when they used the toilet. They also beat and swore at the practitioners.

People responsible:
Fan Zhenyu, prison head: +86-453-6404715-8888
Wang Jian, deputy prison head: +86-13904833666
Zhang Guomin, 610 Office: +86-453-8299103, +86-13039722224
Hou Bo, guard in charge of strict unit: +86-13863606967
Li Yan, deputy manager of Division 14: +86-13514570408
Ding Tao, deputy manager of Division 4: +86-13514585000

Please refer to the original Chinese article for the contact information of more people and offices involved in the persecution.