(Minghui.org) The friends of a 54-year-old resident of Junan County, Shandong Province, lost contact with him during the 2026 Chinese New Year holiday season (mid-February). His mother, who lives with him, suffers from brain atrophy and severe memory impairment. She could not explain clearly what had happened to her son.
Mr. Cao Guozhen’s friends noted that two items were missing from his home, including a satellite dish used to receive uncensored overseas TV programs and a portrait of the founder of Falun Gong. They suspected that he had been arrested again for his faith in Falun Gong, having previously been incarcerated a total of 16 years and three months. They confirmed in mid-June 2026 that Mr. Cao is currently held at the Junan County Detention Center.
Mr. Cao Guozhen
One Forced Labor Term and Two Prison Terms
After the persecution of Falun Gong began in July 1999, Mr. Cao went to Beijing multiple times to appeal for his right to freedom of belief. He was given two years and three months of forced labor in March 2001. His wife was unable to cope and divorced him. He was given full custody of their three-year-old son. His parents helped care for the youngster while he was held in the labor camp.
After he was released in 2003, Mr. Cao worked as a taxi driver to make a living. He was arrested again on October 12, 2007, and secretly sentenced to eight years by the Junan County Court. He was admitted to the Tai’an Prison in March 2008. His family did not receive any notice regarding his trial, sentencing, or prison admission.
Mr. Cao was brutally tortured and force-fed. He held firm to his faith and was moved to the Shandong Province Prison on June 11, 2008. He was subjected to even more cruel torture there, including beating, tying up with ropes (see image below), electric shocks, sleep deprivation, long-time standing, solitary confinement, and 24-hour handcuffing and shackling.
Torture demonstration: tied up with ropes
A prison guard said, “If you refuse to ‘transform’, we can beat you to death, and it’d be counted as a natural death.”
Mr. Cao was released in October 2015, only to be arrested again on March 7, 2017. The police confiscated 4,000 yuan in cash from his home and took him to the Junan County Detention Center.
The Junan County Court sentenced Mr. Cao to six years with a 20,000-yuan fine on September 11, 2017. He was admitted to the Shandong Province Prison on December 21, 2017.
Mr. Cao refused to renounce his faith and was beaten savagely by inmates Xu Chao, Lin Zechao, and Wang Bingji three times. He lost eight teeth as a result. He was later given 19 days of strict management, with him barred from drinking water or using the restroom. The guards also put him in solitary confinement. He lost 11 more teeth as a result of the abuse.
Related Report:
Mr. Cao Guozhen Sentenced to Eight Years of Prison at Junan County, Shandong Province (Photo)
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