Hebei Man’s Health Ruined While Detained for His Faith, Dies After Years of Police Harassment

When Mr. Jin Dianlong was released in June 2010 after serving two years in a labour camp for practising Falun Gong, he was in a delirious state and confused about things around him. He often talked nonsense and easily became frightened. His legs were weak and he couldn’t walk steadily on his own.

Mr. Jin soon lost mobility and became bedridden. His doctor said he had brain atrophy but couldn’t explain what had caused his condition.

The police frequently came to question Mr. Jin and take his picture. He lived in constant fear, and his health continued to decline over the years. He passed away on October 20, 2018. He was 58.

Mr. Jin, a village doctor in Shenzhou City, Hebei Province, began to practice Falun Gong, a mind-body improvement discipline, in 1998. He credited the practice for curing his high blood pressure, chronic leg pain and blurred vision.

After the Chinese communist regime launched a nationwide persecution campaign targeting Falun Gong in July 1999, Mr. Jin was arrested and incarcerated several times for not giving up his faith.

He was first arrested in August 2000, detained at the local township government for three days and extorted for 3,000 yuan before being released.

He was arrested again in January 2001 and detained at the Shenzhou City Detention Center for a month. He was forced to pay 5,500 yuan before he was released.

Mr. Jin and his wife, Ms. Ji Liangyu, were both arrested on July 17, 2008, prior to the Beijing Olympics. The police confiscated their Falun Gong books and other personal items. Both Mr. Jin and Ms. Ji were later given two years of forced labour.

While serving time at Handan City Forced Labour Camp, Mr. Jin was forced to make artificial flowers and sometimes worked until 10 p.m., without pay. His high blood pressure recurred during this time. The labour camp guards gave him some unknown drugs, and he began to experience neurological problems afterwards.