Jilin human rights activist Guo Hongwei’s investigation report on his death due to persecution in Princess Ridge Prison in Jilin was only delivered to his family three years later. Upon receiving the “Conclusion of the Investigation on the Death of the Criminal Guo Hongwei,” the family raised objections, believing that Guo Hongwei did not die under normal circumstances. They demanded the prosecution immediately initiate a comprehensive investigation to hold accountable those responsible for the illegal actions.
Guo Hongwei, a former employee of the Songjiang River Power Plant in Jilin Province, was sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison for reporting corruption and suffering retaliation under the charge of “extortion.” Despite being severely paralyzed, he had long-term high blood pressure and was subjected to various forms of torture and persecution in prison, constantly being pressured to confess.
On April 4, 2021, Guo Hongwei suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in prison, was taken to the hospital for treatment, slipped into a deep coma after two surgeries, and was pronounced dead on April 9 at 10:49 am, at the age of 57.
After Guo Hongwei’s death, Princess Ridge Prison not only increased security to prevent family visits to view the body but also failed to provide any explanation to the family. Despite the family’s requests, both Princess Ridge Prison in Jilin Province and Changchun City Suburban Procuratorate of Jilin Province refused to provide materials related to Guo Hongwei’s cause of death, such as video recordings involving him and medical records.
The death investigation report for Guo Hongwei was only delivered to his family by Princess Ridge Prison on September 23, 2024.
On July 31, 2024, Guo Hongwei’s relatives submitted an application for information disclosure to the Changchun City Suburban Procuratorate of Jilin Province, seeking a review of the investigation conclusions regarding Princess Ridge Prison, but received no response.
Guo Hongwei’s sister, Guo Hongying, stated, “The Changchun City Suburban People’s Procuratorate in Jilin Province is suspected of misconduct, and the relatives have been fruitlessly demanding any relevant materials regarding Guo Hongwei’s death. Despite ongoing demands from the family, Princess Ridge Prison only delivered the ‘Conclusion of the Investigation on the Death of the Criminal Guo Hongwei’ to Guo Hongwei’s family on September 23, 2024, with the document dated April 11, 2021.”
“In the ‘Investigation Conclusion,’ it is evident that the delay in treatment contributed to Guo Hongwei’s passing,” she said.
Guo Hongying pointed out several suspicious points from the “Investigation Conclusion,” such as the decision to transfer Guo Hongwei to another hospital made by the prison hospital at 7:30 pm on April 4, 2021, which contradicts the time he arrived at the hospital and the admission time recorded at the hospital.
Moreover, as recorded by Princess Ridge Hospital, Guo Hongwei was diagnosed with “aspiration pneumonia” when admitted. The family questioned how Guo Hongwei contracted aspiration pneumonia. The prison withheld the original surveillance video recordings and medical records and sought to perform forced autopsy and cremation on the body that had undergone multiple surgeries.
“We have every reason to believe that Guo Hongwei did not die under normal circumstances. As we have persisted in seeking the truth and investigating Guo Hongwei’s death, the prison’s attempt to conduct forced autopsies and cremation on a body that has undergone multiple surgeries is an attempt to destroy evidence, which our family will never agree to,” said Guo Hongying.
Therefore, Guo Hongying demanded that the Chinese Communist Party’s prosecution immediately initiate a full investigation to seek justice for the deceased and hold accountable those responsible for illegal actions. She also called for an immediate halt to all illegal activities, including forced autopsies and cremations, at Princess Ridge Prison in Jilin Province.