Shanghai Artist Sent to Brainwashing Center After 20 Months of Psychiatric Abuse

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Oct. 19, 2018 | By a Minghui correspondent in Shanghai

(Minghui.org) After previously being detained seven times for her belief, an artist in Shanghai was recently arrested again. This is less than six months after she was released from almost two years of psychiatric abuse. Several days ago, family members heard she had been sent for more brainwashing.

Ms. Tang Weimin, an artist who worked at the Shanghai Dramatic Art Centre, did not know about Falun Gong until the meditation system was banned in China in July 1999 by then-dictator Jiang Zemin. Nonetheless, she took up the practice and found that the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance helped her become more considerate. But as she shared with others about her positive changes, she encountered severe persecution.

Between 1999 and 2017, Ms. Tang was arrested and detained seven times for her faith. During this period she suffered brainwashing three times. Her seventh arrest took place on May 14, 2016, in which she was kept at a detention center for 30 days, followed by detention in a mental hospital for 20 months. As a result of being forced to take unknown drugs, Ms. Tang had auditory hallucinations and her hair turned gray.

Less than six months after Ms. Tang was released, Xuhui District police broke into her apartment on August 7, 2018, confiscated her personal belongings and took her to Xuhui Detention Center.

Ms. Tang’s attorney submitted legal arguments for a not guilty plea and requested her release. He contacted Cheng Xinghua, the officer who handled the case, on October 8 asking about Ms. Tang's situation. Cheng said the case had been transferred to the legal office. Officers also threatened family members.

Two days later, Ms. Tang was sent to a brainwashing center. Her family was told she was being kept in a “safe” and “quiet” place, while undergoing “recovery through medication.” Considering the torment Ms. Tang had experienced for 20 months in a mental hospital, her family is very worried.