Ms. He, 60, was arrested by officers of Qingshuitang Police Station on May 16, 2021. The police ransacked her home and confiscated some informational materials about Falun Gong. She was held at the Changsha City No. 1 Detention Center and denied family visits. When her sister told the officer in charge of her case that they would be held responsible if Ms. He developed any life-threatening condition while in custody, the officer shouted at her.

Ms. He’s latest arrest came only two months following an earlier arrest on March 15, 2021 for distributing informational materials about Falun Gong. She started a hunger strike to protest the arbitrary detention and had difficulty breathing five days later. Her face was pale and she was very weak. While squeezing her lower jaw while force-feeding her with water, a male officer crushed one of her teeth and wounded her lip. On the verge of death, she was released on March 28.

On July 3, about one and half months after her latest arrest, Ms. He’s family received a call from the police and was asked to pick her up at the Changsha City No. 1 Hospital. When they rushed there, Ms. He was already in a coma. Her sister demanded that the doctor provide emergency care for her.

Ms. He was admitted to an intensive care unit on July 4 and has since remained unconscious.