Older Practitioner Ms. Tao Weixiang from Hubei Province Suffered a Stroke After Repeated Persecution

Ms. Tao Weixiang, 56, a practitioner from Xianning City, Hubei Province, was arrested by local police on numerous occasions. While in custody, she exhibited symptoms of severe hypertension and was taken to a hospital for treatment. She subsequently suffered a stroke.

Between 2004 and 2006, officers of the Xianning City Police Department, Wenquan District Police Department, and the State Security Division of the Xian'an District Police Department had searched her home, harassed her, and arrested her. They held her in so-called "administrative custody" and "criminal custody" and sent her to "re-education" through forced labour on the groundless charge of "disturbing public order." This devastated her both mentally and physically, and she soon suffered a relapse of a previous illness.

On September 5th, 2005, police again arrested Ms. Tao. Under the direction of Song Ruisheng (male), numerous police officers conducted a warrantless search of her home and seized much of her property, including several computers. They sent Ms. Tao to a brainwashing class that same day. It was at this time that her hypertension recurred, so they took her to a hospital for treatment. The police did not want to release her, however, and they made plans to send her to the brainwashing class again. But her condition soon became life-threatening. Her family strongly protested the actions of the police until they finally released Ms. Tao, who by this time had become critically ill.

On January 17th, 2006, Zeng Guohua (male), Director of the State Security Division of the Xian'an District Police Department, and Huang Shunan, its Political Director, arrested Ms. Tao again, despite her family's protests. They detained her at the Xian'an District Detention Centre. While still in custody the following month, her blood pressure rose rapidly, and she fell into coma one morning before dawn. The police took her to the hospital for treatment once again. After learning of her situation, her family rushed to the hospital and brought her home. The Xian'an District Police Department did not even offer an explanation for her arrest.

This repeated persecution devastated Ms. Tao both mentally and physically. In November 2006, she suffered a stroke. As a result, she is still unable to speak clearly, the right side of her body is paralysed, and she is unable to take care of herself.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2007/8/2/160048.html