Additional Name(s): 左洪涛

Gender: Male

Current Location: Qinhuangdao

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Falun Gong

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 13 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/9/2017

Date of Sentencing: January/9/2019

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Possession of Religious Materials Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Cult

Zuo Hongtao

Extra Bio Info:

Zuo Hongtao is imprisoned for his religious activity.

On June 9, 2017, authorities in Shanhaiguan district, Qinhuangdao municipality, Hebei province, arrested 6 Falun Gong practitioners, including Zuo, and Zuo's wife, Cui Qiurong, who was reportedly not a Falun Gong practitioner.

In July 2017, Zuo was reportedly charged with “undermining law enforcement," which is believed to be a reference to "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL). Police reportedly seized yuan notes with Falun Gong slogans printed on them in Zuo's possession.

On January 9, 2019, the Changli County People’s Court in Qinhuangdao sentenced Zuo to 13 years in prison.

On June 7, 2019, Zuo's appeal was rejected.

Related Cases: Wu Wenzhang, Li Guo'ai, Liu Changfu

Sources:
  • "Zuo Hongtao" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)