Christian Lawyer Tortured in Prison Kidnapped Again
by Carey Lodge
Christian Today
by Carey Lodge
Christian Today
Gao Zhisheng, Courtesy China Aid
Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been 'kidnapped' by Chinese officials after speaking out about his alleged torture in prison, according to China Aid.
Sources told the Texas-based organisation that Public Security Bureau officers arrived at the lawyer's home in Shaanxi province at 1pm on Thursday, "and began frantically searching for Gao." He had previously told China Aid that he expected to be detained again after giving an interview this week that detailed horrific torture at the hands of Chinese authorities.
Speaking out for the first time in five years, 51-year-old Gao told AP that he was tortured three times while in prison, and forced to live in a seven metre square confinement cell for three years. A Communist propaganda message was broadcast constantly for 68 weeks. "Those who persecuted me have used every means possible over the past nine years to break my spirit," he said. "Life in prison was absolutely terrible on a physical level... When I was tortured for the first time I was afraid, really afraid. But the second time I was not, because it's a matter of perception. Why was I not afraid? Because I knew that fear would not help, but cause more oppression and cruelty."
Gao is a two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, best known for his work defending Falun Gong adherents, Christians, and other persecuted social groups. He was first illegally detained by police in August 2006. Gao was initially sentenced to three years in prison for 'subversion,' followed by a probation period of five years. During this time, he was tortured in detention several times, including being hit with electrified batons and having a toothpick inserted into his genitals, while the government shut down his law practice in Beijing...
Sources told the Texas-based organisation that Public Security Bureau officers arrived at the lawyer's home in Shaanxi province at 1pm on Thursday, "and began frantically searching for Gao." He had previously told China Aid that he expected to be detained again after giving an interview this week that detailed horrific torture at the hands of Chinese authorities.
Speaking out for the first time in five years, 51-year-old Gao told AP that he was tortured three times while in prison, and forced to live in a seven metre square confinement cell for three years. A Communist propaganda message was broadcast constantly for 68 weeks. "Those who persecuted me have used every means possible over the past nine years to break my spirit," he said. "Life in prison was absolutely terrible on a physical level... When I was tortured for the first time I was afraid, really afraid. But the second time I was not, because it's a matter of perception. Why was I not afraid? Because I knew that fear would not help, but cause more oppression and cruelty."
Gao is a two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, best known for his work defending Falun Gong adherents, Christians, and other persecuted social groups. He was first illegally detained by police in August 2006. Gao was initially sentenced to three years in prison for 'subversion,' followed by a probation period of five years. During this time, he was tortured in detention several times, including being hit with electrified batons and having a toothpick inserted into his genitals, while the government shut down his law practice in Beijing...
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