Despite Severe Heart Condition, Retired Sailor Detained and Facing Trial for Faith

Based on an Original Report from Minghui.org 

Mr. Lin Wu, a retired sailor from Maoming City, Guangdong Province, was detained for his faith in Falun Gong despite having a severe heart condition. He now faces trial.

Arrest and Falsified Interrogation

Lin, 56, was ambushed by two people hiding in his apartment building when he returned from grocery shopping on August 14, 2020. Thinking the individuals were going to rob him, he struggled and attempted to escape.

His attackers made a phone call and three more people showed up, who pressed Lin against the floor and took away his home key. They then ransacked his home and confiscated his Falun Gong books and other personal belongings.

Lin was taken to the local police station around noon. The police handcuffed and shackled him tightly in a rusty metal chair.

They proceeded to interrogate him late into the night, using intimidation and verbal abuse. Since Lin maintained that he was a law-abiding citizen and refused to answer any questions, the police fabricated answers to fill out the interrogation record. 

Severe Heart Condition and Health Decline

After interrogation, Lin was taken to a local hospital for a physical examination. His blood was forcibly drawn, and he was given an electrocardiogram and a CT scan. The doctor found he had a severe heart condition, but the police still transferred him to the Maoming City No. 1 Detention Center.

The police attempted to repeat the electrocardiogram on Lin on August 16 but had to cancel it after he developed a fever. 

Two days later, Lin was taken to the hospital for an echocardiogram and electrocardiogram. The doctor did not communicate the results to him, but Lin felt tightness in his chest, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and numbness in his arms and fingers.

As his symptoms persisted, the police took Lin back to the hospital for the same heart exams on September 14. His weight had dropped from 143 lbs to 99 lbs after one month in custody, but the doctor still did not inform him of the results of his exam.

Legal Proceedings and Pending Trial

After the Maonan District Procuratorate approved his arrest on September 18, the police came to the detention center and interrogated Lin again. Lin refused to cooperate, nor did he acknowledge the fabricated answers from the prior interrogation record.

On September 23, Lin’s lawyer visited him at the detention center. The next day, his lawyer met with prosecutor Yu Huadan and police officer Fan Laibiao, the individuals in charge of his case. 

The lawyer urged Fan to drop the charges against Lin due to the lack of evidence. He also demanded the release of Lin, given his heart condition and high blood pressure. Fan rejected both of his requests.

On November 17, the police submitted Lin’s case to the Maonan District Procuratorate. His lawyer reviewed his case document on December 2 and visited him at the detention center. The lawyer noted Lin had lost more weight since their last meeting.

Due to the pandemic lockdown in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, Lin’s lawyer was unable to travel to Maoming to work on his case. His family hired another lawyer. On January 26, 2021, the lawyer learned that prosecutor Yu had indicted him earlier that month.

When the lawyer went to the Maonan District Court to review Lin’s case documents, it took him over 30 minutes to get access due to attempts to obstruct access by Judge Ke Xuejun.

Judge Ke initially scheduled a hearing for April 6 but postponed it to a later date which is yet to be announced.

Lin’s wife, Ms. Li Suzhen, passed away from the persecution of Falun Gong. His incarceration leaves his four children in deep despair, as they are still mourning the loss of their mother.

Original Article: https://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2021/6/5/193540.html