Mr. Zhao Yong, 32, was a resident of Jinshan Township, Bazhong City, Sichuan Province. He was identified by local police as a dedicated Falun Gong practitioner, arrested, and was sent to a brainwashing class. He escaped from the class, and became homeless to prevent further persecution. The local government and police searched for him for over ten days, ransacked his home, broke his door and destroyed his furniture. In April 2002, police from the Jinjiang District Police Station arrested Mr. Zhao in Chengdu City. He was detained at Pi County Detention Center. In March 2003, under the orders of the Chengdu City and Bazhong City "610 Offices," the Jinjiang District Court sentenced Mr. Zhao to ten years in prison, because he refused to give up Falun Gong. During his incarceration at the detention center, Mr. Zhao repeatedly experienced beatings and torture. As a result, his body became severely emaciated; he was unable to eat as of June 2003. He was not sent to a hospital until he was on the verge of death. Even when he was lying in the hospital bed, he was still wearing ankle shackles, and his wrists were cuffed to a bar by the window. On August 6, 2003, his physical condition worsened. The police from Chengdu City then ordered his family to go to the hospital. In order to be allowed to take him home, his family was forced to sign a statement guaranteeing that they would never try to hold the police responsible. On August 31, 2003, Mr. Zhao died because of the torture.

type=Case, Death; location=Sichuan, Chengdu;