Two More Falun Gong Practitioners Are Verified to Have Died of Torture, Driving the Death Toll in Shandong Province up to 96

Recent news from China indicates that two more Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured to death in Shandong Province.

Mr. Xiao Peifeng, 52, was from Ezhuang Village, Zichuan District, Zibo City. He was tortured to death at the Boshanqiugu Labor Camp and was buried on August 25, 2003. According to those who had a chance to see his body, Xiao Peifeng's chin was pierced and had a hole in it. There were numerous wounds on his chest and under his armpit. The police did not allow people to see the rest of his body. The witnesses also said that one could tell from the body that Xiao had died many days earlier.

When people called the Boshanqiugu Labor Camp inquiring about this, the police did not deny the death of Xiao Peifeng, but they refused to disclose the cause of his death.

Mr. Li Deshan from Dezhou City was beaten, hung up, force-fed with water and alcohol, and deprived of sleep while he was detained at the Wangcun Labor Camp. He passed away in August 2002.

When people called the Wangcun Labor Camp, the police who answered the phone immediately hung up when they were asked about the reason for Li's death. When called again, the police did not answer the phone.

According to available information, at least three other practitioners had been tortured to death: Mr. Zou Songtao, Ms. Yu Lianchun and Ms. Zhang Lin. A reader said in his letter to Minghui.net that Wangcun Labor Camp policemen Zheng Wanli, Zhao Yongming and Shan Weiye once claimed, "The labor education is to ruin your body and willpower in a short period of time so that you can't practice anymore after you are released."

According to statistics, the verified death toll of Falun Gong practitioners in Shandong Province has reached 96, including the death of Ms. Zhao Jinhua, the first case ever, which was disclosed by The Wall Street Journal, and Ms. Chen Zixiu, whose death was also reported by The Wall Street Journal. Between 1997 and 2002 when Wu Guanzheng was the general secretary of the Shandong Province Party Committee, Shandong Province became one of the provinces where Falun Gong practitioners were most persecuted. On October 27, 2003, Wu Guanzheng was sued by Falun Gong practitioners while visiting Cyprus and charged with genocide, torture and crimes against humanity.

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2003/12/12/62377.html