News Alert: Shandong Police Torture Chen Guangfu, Brother of Chen Guangcheng; Relatives Live in Fear

China Human Rights Briefing: Special Edition
 
May 16, 2012
 
Shandong Police Torture Chen Guangfu, Brother of Chen Guangcheng; Relatives Live in Fear
 
CHRD has learned that Chen Guangfu (陈光福), the elder brother of activist Chen Guangcheng (陈光诚), was reportedly tortured while in the hands of Yinan County police in Shandong Province in late April. He is still suffering serious effects from the abuse, according to a reliable source within China. The abuses against Chen Guangfu represent the most physically violent treatment to surface so far among the spate of retaliatory acts towards those with links to Chen Guangcheng after his flight from house arrest. In addition to the reported torture, it is believed that Linyi authorities are maintaining tight controls over many of Chen Guangcheng’s other relatives, with their movements strictly limited as they live in a state of extreme fear.
 
In the early morning of April 27, Zhang Jian (张健), a head of Shuanghou Township (that has jurisdiction over Dongshigu Village), and accompanying thugs climbed over the wall to Chen Guangfu’s home and banged on the front door, eventually seizing Chen and blindfolding him before dragging him away. Chen was taken to the Yinan County Public Security Bureau, where he was questioned—including about how Chen Guangcheng escaped—and subjected to several hours of torture. Authorities handcuffed Chen Guangfu and shackled his legs, and then whipped his hands with a leather belt, struck him in the ribs, and stomped hard on his feet. At this time—nearly three weeks later—Chen still reportedly has not regained any feeling in the area stretching from his left thumb through his wrist, and his right foot also remains numb.
 
On the evening of May 16, according to CHRD sources, Chen Guangfu indicated that he had left Dongshigu Village and was not fully aware of the situation there, as he has been under strict controls and unable to contact his relatives. Chen did confirm that he was taken away on April 27 and that Linyi authorities released him two days later.
 
After seizing Chen Guangfu on April 27, the group later re-entered the home and severely beat his wife, Ren Zongju (任宗举),and his son, Chen Kegui (陈克贵). The intruders also smashed a bowl of medicine the family was using to treat Chen Kegui’s five-year-old son, who was suffering from a high fever at the time. Chen Kegui tried to defend the family by wielding knives to fend off the aggressive officials and thugs. He ended up fleeing but was subsequently detained and, on May 9, formally arrested on a charge of “intentional homicide”—a charge made although Chen was acting in self-defense and defending his family, with no one dying from any injuries suffered in the altercation.
 
Other relatives of Chen Guangcheng—his cousin Chen Guangcun (陈光存), and Chen Guangcun’s son, Chen Hua (陈华)—were also taken into custody in late April, as was a fellow villager, Liu Yuancheng (刘元成). These individuals were all reportedly held for two days before being released.
 
Read more informationon CHRD’s website about ongoing acts of retaliation against Chen Guangcheng’s relatives and supporters, as well as harassment of Chinese citizens who have attempted to assist the family since the blind activist’s escape from house arrest. (CHRD)[1]

Edited by Victor Clemens and Renee Xia

[1]“Chen Guangfu, Chen Guangcheng’s Elder Brother, Tortured”(陈光诚的哥哥陈光福遭酷刑), May 16, 2012, CHRD; “Chen Guangcheng: A Special Bulletin – Updates on Situation of Chen Guangcheng & His Family Members, Relatives & Supporters Since Chen’s Flight for Freedom,”May 16, 2012 (updated), CHRD