Ms. Tan Zhengrong and Mr. Zhao Zhonghe Passed Away as a Result of Repeated Persecution

Two Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) practitioners in China have recently passed away as a result of long-term, repeated persecution.

Sixty-seven-year-old Ms. Tan Zhengrong and her husband Liu Jingxun from Huzhong District of Daxinganling area have suffered long-term harassment and imprisonment at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), simply because they practise Falun Gong. Ms. Tan passed away on March 14th, 2014 as a result of the relentless persecution.

Mr. Zhao Zhonghe and his wife from Songling District were also arrested many times and subjected to constant harassment and threats. Mr. Zhao passed away on March 29th, like Ms. Tan, as a result of the persecution.

1. Ms. Tan Zhengrong

On October 29th, 2009, Fan Weixin, head of the Domestic Security Division, brought a dozen officers to Ms. Tan's house, and arrested her and her husband. They also ransacked the home and confiscated their newly purchased computer and other personal belongings. The couple were detained at Huzhong Detention Centre. Fan Weixin and seven other officers beat Mr. Liu Jingxun violently and forbade him to eat or sleep. The elderly couple suffered such persecution and were deprived of their personal freedom simply because they practise Falun Gong and told people that Falun Gong is good.

Ms. Tan and Mr. Liu were sentenced on May 13th, 2010. That day, the courtroom was filled to capacity with approximately 300 police officers. Mr. Liu Jingxun told the court that the police interrogated him under torture. The Chief Judge asked him who beat him and if he had any evidence. Mr. Liu told him that Fan Weixin, head of the Domestic Security Division, police officer Liu Yumin and six others beat him and refused to allow him to eat or sleep. He showed the Chief Judge the injuries on his body as evidence. However, the court ignored the evidence, and sentenced Mr. Liu to four years in prison and his wife to two years, with three years of probation.

Mr. Liu was transferred to Tailai Prison in Heilongjiang Province on October 1st, 2010. Instigated by guard Yang Zhongfu, inmates forbade Mr. Liu from sleeping until after midnight, yet he was still forced to do heavy labour during the day.

While her husband was in prison, Ms. Tan Zhengrong suffered long-term harassment from the police department and other agencies. They monitored her movements and subjected her to coercion and threats. Ms. Tan was extremely worried about her husband's safety and lived under constant high pressure and anxiety. She passed away on March 14th, 2014.

2. Mr. Zhao Zhonghe

Mr. Zhao Zhonghe from Songling District of Daxinganling and his wife each suffered from a number of illnesses before they started practising Falun Gong in January 1999.

Mr. Zhao's varicose veins were severe and his lower legs were dark purple. He had gone to many hospitals for treatment, with little effect. After he started practising Falun Gong, his legs became normal and all of the couple's illnesses disappeared. Mr. Zhao used to have a very hot temper and would not tolerate any disagreement. Through practising Falun Gong, he became tolerant and always conducted himself according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. He gave up all his bad habits, including drinking, smoking and his addiction to playing Mahjong.

Former CCP head Jiang Zemin launched the persecution of Falun Gong in July 1999, after which Mr. Zhao and his wife were arrested and harassed many times. Their home was often searched and ransacked. At one point, Mr. Zhao was detained for seven days simply because he protested against the police's unlawful ransacking of his home.

The long-term harassment and constant threats from the police took a toll on Mr. Zhao's health, and he began to decline in the winter of 2012. He lost his appetite and vomited constantly. By January 2014, he developed general oedema and passed away two months later on March 29th, 2014.

The main agencies and individuals involved in the persecution of Ms. Tan Zhengrong and her husband Mr. Liu Jingxun:
Office of the head of Huzhong police sub-station: +86-457-3438055
Office of two deputy heads: +86-457-3431928, +86-457-3431142
Fan Weixin (范伟信), head of the Domestic Security Division: +86-13304575123
Zhao Jin (赵金), Chief Judge of Huzhong District Court: +86-13854202367
Zhuo Xianghua (卓祥华), local police officer: +86-13604875317; +86-457-3432687 (Home)
Wang Yubao (王玉宝), head of Huzhong District Detention Centre: +86-457-3438758
Xue Xiaojun (薛晓军), police guard at Huzhong District Detention Centre: +86-13845785589