Falun Gong Practitioners from Changsha Suffers Various Forms of Abuse in Wangling Prison

According to Minghui.org, Mr. Chen Yang and his wife Cao Zhimin, both from Changsha, were arrested in November 2020 simply for studying Falun Gong teachings and reading Falun Gong books at the home of practitioner Li Zhigang. In January 2022, Chen Yang was illegally sentenced to four years in prison and fined 15,000 yuan, while Cao Zhimin was sentenced to three years and ten months and fined 10,000 yuan. Chen Yang was taken to Wangling Prison in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, while Cao Zhimin was imprisoned in the Hunan Women’s Prison.

Chen Yang graduated from the Computer Science Department of Hunan University in 1992 and later worked for the Hunan Provincial Pharmaceutical Company. Known for his simple and kind character, he had long suffered from chronic rhinitis and asthma, which medical treatments could not cure. In late 1995, he began practicing Falun Dafa, following the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.” His health improved and his asthma disappeared. More importantly, he said he found a deeper meaning in life and became even more dedicated in his work.

Chen Yang was later appointed as an engineer and was repeatedly recognized as an outstanding employee. He eventually served as a supervisor at the Hunan Provincial Computer Center. Besides being responsible at work and kind to others, he quietly performed many acts of charity. In 1996, after beginning Falun Dafa practice, he anonymously donated 5,000 yuan to Project Hope, a charity program supporting education in rural China; people only learned of the donation much later by chance.

Since the Chinese Communist Party launched the persecution of Falun Gong in July 1999, Chen Yang and Cao Zhimin have repeatedly faced persecution for maintaining their belief in “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance” and for telling others about Falun Gong. They have endured both physical and psychological torture. Chen Yang has been sentenced to prison twice for a total of eight years. Cao Zhimin has also been sentenced twice, totaling six years and ten months, and was detained in brainwashing centers on two occasions. Both lost their jobs and were extorted for money, causing severe financial hardship.

Their daughter, Chen Fayuan, was deeply affected by the persecution. She left China to study in the United States and now resides there, leaving the family unable to reunite.

From late July 2022 to early December 2024, while detained in Division 10 of Wangling Prison, Chen Yang reportedly endured numerous forms of abuse because he refused to renounce his beliefs or cooperate with “transformation” efforts. Once in good health, he suffered asthma attacks, physical injuries, and repeated hospital visits. By the time he was released, he had become extremely thin and much of his hair had turned gray.

During his imprisonment, Chen Yang described experiencing more than ten forms of abuse, including:

Beatings: In October 2022, inmate monitors led by Luo Yong dragged him to the cell doorway—away from cameras—and beat and kicked him, leaving him with severe chest pain that required medical treatment.

Cold-water torture: In December 2022, during cold weather, guards poured cold water down the back of his neck repeatedly, soaking his clothing.

Food deprivation: His food rations were reduced to a few spoonfuls per meal, leaving him chronically hungry, especially during winter.

Sleep deprivation and prolonged sitting: He was forced to stay awake late into the night or all night, sometimes sitting for hours on broken plastic stools.

Denial of restroom access: Guards sometimes refused to allow him to urinate, forcing him to relieve himself in his clothing.

Forced standing: On one occasion in 2024 he was forced to stand more than 17 hours per day for an entire month after refusing to tear a photo of Falun Gong’s founder.

Physical assaults with objects: In July 2024, inmate monitors used broken plastic rods to jab his inner thighs repeatedly, causing bleeding and injury.

Near drowning: His head was pushed into a bucket of water, leaving him unable to breathe.

Burning with hot water: Boiling water in plastic bottles was pressed against his chest and back under his clothing.

Other abuses: These reportedly included forced squatting, attempts to force him to drink urine, and other mistreatment.

In addition to physical torture, Chen Yang said he endured severe psychological pressure. For more than two years—from August 2022 to December 2024—he was forced almost daily to watch videos slandering Falun Gong and its founder and to complete written “assignments.” In the months before his release, he was also compelled to watch videos by individuals presented as former performers criticizing Shen Yun.

After prolonged abuse, Chen Yang’s health deteriorated significantly. He suffered recurring asthma attacks and multiple injuries requiring treatment in the prison hospital. When he was released, the 165-cm-tall man reportedly weighed just over 40 kilograms (around 88 pounds), and much of his hair had turned gray.

More information about Mr. Chen’s family: https://faluninfo.net/yang-chen-and-zhimin-cao/

Original report from Minghui.org: https://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2026/2/24/长沙法轮功学员陈阳在网岭监狱遭受的种种迫害-507176.html