(Minghui.org) In preparation for the 18th Party Congress, Gongzhuling Prison in Jilin Province has carried out another round of intensified persecution on its illegally detained Falun Gong practitioners. The prison specifically set up a “Tackling the Tough” office and is employing brutal means in its attempts to “transform” practitioners. At least seven practitioners have been severely abused and tortured since May 17 of this year.
Division and political heads of different prison wards ordered three to five criminal inmates to monitor each targeted practitioner. Eighteen criminals were picked to carry out forced brainwashing on the practitioners who have remained steadfast in their belief. The practitioners were monitored around the clock and subjected to brutal methods to "transform" them, including being intimidated and threatened, beaten, forced to stand without moving for long periods of time, shocked with electric batons, placed in solitary confinement, forced to sit on a narrow bench for long periods of time, forced to wear a straitjacket, and tied to a death bed.
Mr. Zhao Guoxing from Jilin City was first tortured on a death bed and then placed in a straitjacket. Three other practitioners who also endured these tortures were Mr. Fu Hongwei (from Shulan), Mr. Yang Chunman (from Yongji), and Mr. Yang Futian.
Mr. Zheng Lijun (from Wangqing), Mr. Wang Wenyuan (from Longjing), and Mr. Zhang Wendong (from Panshi) were forced to sit on a small narrow bench every day, from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Other practitioners whose names are unknown were also subjected to the above-mentioned physical abuses and tortures.