(Minghui.org) Ms. Zhou Xiuzhen was sentenced to prison for trying to rescue her husband. She has now developed symptoms of serious fluid accumulation around the liver. She was rushed to Hebei Provincial Women's Hospital and her life is in danger. Her husband, Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Bian was thrown into prison for 12 years for upholding his belief.
The prison authorities reportedly intended to release Ms. Zhou because of the gravity of her condition. However, staff from the Tangshan 610 Office had to be present in order for her to be released. The Tangshan 610 Office authorities, who are responsible for persecuting Ms. Zhou, deliberately did not send anyone to the prison and thus obstructed the release.
Ms. Zhou's husband, Mr. Bian, was arrested at home on February 25, 2012 for his belief in Falun Gong. His personal belongings and over 100,000 yuan were seized. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and was taken to the Shijiazhuang Prison after briefly being held in Baoding Prison.
Prison guards and their collaborators tortured Mr. Bian in order to force him to renounce Falun Gong. One of the torture methods was to make him sit on a tiny bench for extended periods. His health continuously deteriorated and he had a serious relapse of his heart disease. Doctors said that he could suddenly die.
Ms. Zhou and her daughter went everywhere seeking help to bail Mr. Bian out for medical treatment. They exposed the tortures Mr. Bian was subjected to in prison and appealed to the public for help. Their efforts angered the Tangshan public security organs and the Shijiazhuang Prison authorities.
The couple's daughter, Ms. Bian Xiaohui, was arrested on March 12, 2014 by agents from the Shijiazhuang Domestic Security Division, after she unfolded a banner with the words, “I want to see my father” in front of the prison. When bystanders asked what happened, she explained why she was there. Her request to meet her ailing father was repeatedly refused. Ms. Chen Yinghua, a relative who accompanied her to the prison, was also arrested at a train station.
Ms. Zhou was arrested at home the next day.
They were tried in 2014 and sentenced to prison in April 2015. Ms. Zhou was sentenced to 4 years, Ms. Bian 3.5 years, and Ms. Chen 4 years.
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