(Minghui.org)
Name: Zuo HongtaoChinese Name: 左洪涛Gender: MaleAge: 67City: QinhuangdaoProvince: HebeiOccupation: Business ownerDate of Death: August 6, 2024Date of Most Recent Arrest: June 9, 2017Most Recent Place of Detention: Baoding Prison
A 67-year-old resident of Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, died on August 6, 2024, while serving a 13-year prison term for his faith in Falun Gong, a mind-body practice that has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party since July 1999.
Mr. Zuo Hongtao was arrested on June 9, 2017, and sentenced to 13 years in January 2018 and later admitted to Division 19 of Baoding Prison. He became critically ill on July 19, 2024, and was rushed to a hospital for emergency care. He was then discharged and taken back to the prison, where he died on August 6. His family was not allowed to get near his body.
The prison had Mr. Zuo’s body cremated without his family’s consent.
Mr. Zuo’s wife, Ms. Cui Qiurong, who does not practice Falun Gong, was arrested with him on June 9, 2017. The police seized over 100,000 yuan the couple had in their office for their family-run business. The police also confiscated an electric bike and office supplies. Three other local practitioners—Mr. Wu Wenzhang, Ms. Li Guoai, and Mr. Liu Changfu—were arrested at the same time. They, along with Ms. Cui, were also sentenced in January 2018. Mr. Gu and Ms. Li were each given 10 years, Mr. Liu 8 years, and Ms. Cui 19 months.
Mr. Wu is still serving time in Baoding Prison. It is unclear where Mr. Liu and Ms. Li are being held.
Related Reports:
Seven Qinhuangdao Residents Arrested and Awaiting Indictments, One Has Cash Seized from His Business
56 Falun Gong Practitioners Remain Detained in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province
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