(Minghui.org) A man in Linyi City, Shandong Province, who was once tortured in a detention center for his faith in Falun Gong, has been arrested again for the same reason.

Mr. Ji Zhongsheng was arrested by officers from the Lanshan District Domestic Security Division on May 12, 2025. He has been detained at the Linyi City Detention Center since.

Mr. Ji, from Lanmiaoshang Village, Lanshan District, is a retired director of the Labor Services Company in Lanshan District. He previously served in the submarine force for 16 years. Working in a tough environment led him to suffer from many diseases, such as leukopenia, stomach problems, arthritis, low hemoglobin, poor body resistance, weak limbs, and frequent colds. He couldn’t sleep on rainy nights due to his joint pain. He also often had diarrhea and was hospitalized.

Mr. Ji recovered from his illnesses after he started practicing Falun Gong in April 1996. He no longer had to use medication. After taking up Falun Gong, he became even more filial to his mother. He visited her whenever he was free and bought things for her. His mother said, “I couldn’t finish spending the money that Zhongsheng gave me. My children would take turns to cook for me. When it’s Zhongsheng’s turn, he would wash my hair and feet. All the neighbors know that he is a filial son.”

However, when the persecution of Falun Gong started in July 1999, Mr. Ji was often harassed, his home was ransacked, and he was arrested and tortured for refusing to renounce his faith. He was forced to live away from home to avoid further persecution.

Below is a brief overview of the persecution that Mr. Ji has faced over the years:

In July 1999, Ji Zhongsheng went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong. He was detained at his workplace for many days after he was taken back to his city. When he was released, the authorities set up a post at the entrance of his residential building to monitor him for a long time.

On May 21, 2002, the Lanshan District 610 Office ordered Mr. Ji’s supervisor at work and his wife Pang Zongqin (who were both against Falun Gong) to deceive him into going to the Linyi City Brainwashing Center. He managed to escape and was forced to live away from home for two years to avoid being arrested. During this period, Mr. Ji’s mother was terribly worried and often cried as she couldn’t get any news of Mr. Ji.

Mr. Ji was distributing Falun Gong informational materials in Lanshan District in May 2004 when he was reported and arrested by officers from the Daling Police Station and Hongbusi Police Station. He was later detained at the Linyi City Detention Center. During the detention period, his legs were shackled while his hands were handcuffed around one of his legs. This torture method is known as the “Dragon Holding the Pillar.” While in this position, Mr. Ji could not stand nor sit. He could not walk properly and had to bend down all the time, without being able to straighten his legs. Using the restroom also became impossible for him.

Torture illustration: “Dragon Holding the Pillar”

After 18 days of detention, Mr. Ji was transferred to the Linyi City Brainwashing Center for nearly two months. To force him to renounce his faith, the brainwashing center authorities made him read materials slandering Falun Gong and deprived him of sleep. He was also forced to sit on a small stool motionless for a long time (a torture method that will result in developing open sores on the buttocks). The authorities also sprayed mustard oil in his face and did not allow him to take showers. As he refused to renounce his faith, Mr. Ji was beaten and became severely injured. His vision deteriorated, his teeth became loose and bled, and his hair turned gray.

Torture re-enactment: Sitting on a small stool

In May 2006, officers from the Yizhou Road Police Station in Lanshan District arrested Mr. Ji again and took him to the Linyi City Brainwashing Center. He was isolated in a room with a security fence and CCTV in the room. He was not allowed to leave the room or open the windows. This torture lasted for a month.

The director of the Lanshan District 610 Office and another officer ransacked Mr. Ji’s house in October 2010. They and officers from the Beiyuanlu Police Station arrested Mr. Ji at home on April 29, 2011 and took him to the Zhangqiu Brainwashing Center for 15 days.

On May 12, 2014, officers from the 610 Office and staffers from the Miaoshang Industrial and Trade Development Zone barged into Mr. Ji’s home and ransacked his house. They also went to his 92-year-old mother’s home and ransacked her place. She was traumatized.

The director of the Lanshan District 610 Office and another officer, along with supervisors from Mr. Ji’s workplace, went to Mr. Ji’s home on July 23, 2015 and harassed him.