Members of The Church of Almighty God in China have faced increased crackdowns by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in 2023. Reports to “Bitter Winter” detail numerous cases of torture, including the mistreatment of minors, the elderly, and disabled believers.
Zhejiang: On June 15, 2023, at least 1,043 Church of Almighty God (CAG) Christians were arrested in Zhejiang Province. One believer died three days after arrest, with signs of torture. Reports suggest wounds on his head and bloodstains in his eyes, leading relatives to believe he had been subjected to torture.
Anhui: Throughout 2023, Anhui Province witnessed extensive arrests and torture. At least 3,319 CAG believers were arrested, and 1,277 underwent forcible indoctrination. Those who resisted were subjected to various forms of punishment, including beatings, prolonged standing, and sleep deprivation. Cases include a female CAG member jumping off a building, resulting in disability.
Jiangsu: In Jiangsu, police from Huai’an City’s Xuyi County arrested 54 CAG Christians on May 16, 2023. Subsequently, 109 more were arrested in July. Testimonies reveal brutal interrogation methods, such as slapping, suspension, and even inserting a lit cigarette into a believer’s nostril. In another incident in Xuzhou City, 141 CAG members were arrested, and one died after attempting to escape.
Jiangxi and Fujian: As of November 2023, about 227 CAG members were arrested in Jiangxi Province, and at least 102 in Fujian Province. Torture methods included the “Exhausting an Eagle” technique lasting over twenty days, sleep deprivation, and prolonged standing. Female believers reported severe beatings, electric shocks, and other forms of abuse.
Henan: In Nanyang’s four counties of Tanghe, Xichuan, Neixiang, and Xixia, over 170 CAG believers, including elderly individuals, were arrested on August 26, 2023. A female believer subjected to the “Exhausting an Eagle” torture for ten days and nights described the excruciating pain and sleep deprivation.
Sichuan: From March 16 to 31, 2023, 152 CAG believers were arrested in cities including Guang’an, Nanchong, and Dazhou. Reports highlight brutal torture methods such as forcing believers to sit on a tiger bench, handcuffing them, and pulling their wrists back forcefully. In another three-day span from May 9 to 11, 141 CAG members were arrested in five cities, resulting in injuries including fractured ribs.
These cases represent only a fraction of the ongoing persecution faced by CAG members throughout China, with precise statistics becoming harder to obtain due to limited access to court decisions and information suppression by authorities. Witnesses play a crucial role in reporting incidents of torture and extrajudicial killings.
Read more on “Bitter Winter” https://bitterwinter.org/china-more-members-of-the-church-of-almighty-god-arrested-and-tortured/