Xie Yang, a lawyer involved in the 709 crackdown, has been illegally detained for the second time for three and a half years. Recently, Xie Yang’s ex-wife, Chen Guiqiu, released a photo of Xie Yang taken in the detention center a year ago. In the image, he appeared thin and haggard, almost unrecognizable compared to his former self.
Chen Guiqiu told Epoch Times that she has kept this photo for a year but couldn’t bring herself to look at it, nor did she dare to show it to their two daughters. “This year marks the 10th anniversary of 709, and I decided to bring it out. Every time I glance at it, my heart aches.”
She said that the torture and abuse towards Xie Yang have never stopped. Every time there is a lawyer meeting, the detention center inflicts torture upon him. “Without proper nutrition, sunlight, or communication, various tortures continue. Xie Yang has not given in. It’s been a year, and I feel his situation must have worsened.”
Chinese human rights lawyer Li An expressed deep emotions upon seeing Xie Yang’s photo on the eve of the 10th anniversary of 709, saying it felt like a knife in his heart.
Li An mentioned meeting Xie Yang several times before. He said that every encounter showed Xie Yang full of vigor, looking much younger than his actual age and physically well-rounded. However, in the photo, Xie Yang appeared notably aged, thin, and lifeless. “Mentally, Xie Yang is undoubtedly resilient. He is a very strong person.”
Lawyer Xie Yang was arrested in the “709 Crackdown” in 2015, accused of charges like “inciting subversion” and “disrupting court order,” placed under residential surveillance, and subjected to severe torture for confessions. In January 2022, he was arrested again for supporting the teacher Li Tiantian, who was deemed “mentally ill,” on charges of “inciting subversion,” and unlawfully detained to this day.
Li An believes that the authorities have not held a trial mainly for two reasons: Xie Yang refuses to plead guilty, and the current accusations against him do not constitute a crime. He criticized the Chinese Communist Party’s judiciary system, stating that besides maintaining stability, it has lost its meaning for the public and has become a tool for the regime’s oppression.
Chen Guiqiu mentioned that during a recent meeting with Lawyer Li Guisheng, the detention center prevented them from meeting because Xie Yang had a handwritten document. In another meeting with Lawyer Li Guobei, the detention center allowed the meeting only after producing two official extension documents. The latest information revealed that Xie Yang was placed in strict handcuffs for a week half a month ago. This indicates that the abuse towards him has been ongoing.
She urged the international community to pay attention to Xie Yang’s situation as the 10th anniversary of the 709 incident approaches.
Chen Guiqiu said that Xie Yang has endured numerous tortures. If he had been free in these past ten years, he would have enjoyed the happiness of raising his children, found solace in supporting his parents, and felt the sense of accomplishment from his legal profession. But now, all of that can never be regained.