(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Li Zhongfang, 50, from Chengdu City, Sichuan Province was sent to the Chengdu Women's Prison on July 2, 2018, after she had been detained for a year. Her health has deteriorated, and her family's request for medical parole has been rejected.
Police initially broke into Ms. Li's home and seized her Falun Gong books and other items. She was taken into police custody on August 1, 2017, then placed in a detention center.
Ms. Li went on a hunger strike to protest her illegal imprisonment and she was subsequently taken to the hospital. The hospital staff and officials from the detention center informed her family about her critical condition.
The family arrived with their attorney to speak with the officials and urged that Ms. Li be released on humanitarian grounds. They also explained to the authorities that Ms. Li did not commit any crime, and her case should be rescinded. The officials rejected their request without an explanation.
Ms. Li was tried by the Qingyang District Court on April 10, 2018. She appeared very weak during the proceedings. She was also observed to be trembling and in a state of confusion. The court sentenced her to 3½ years in prison. She appealed the conviction.
Within a month of Ms. Li being taken to Chengdu Women's Prison on July 2, 2018, her family called to inquire about her condition and requested a visit. The prison officials responded by saying that Ms. Li's health remained the same as when she was first admitted, and that she was picky about her food.
The family followed the prison regulations and went to visit Ms. Li on September 5, 2018. They were told by the prison guard that they could not see her as she was under intensive monitoring and had failed on her labor performance and “mind rehabilitation” evaluations.
Ms. Li's family asserted that she was unable to work due to her health, and that Chinese law protected people's freedom of belief.
The guard responded by stating that whatever the prison said counted.
Ms. Li has been forced to take medication three times daily and remains very weak and emaciated.
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