Video Interview with Martyr Jiang Zongxiu Family members

China Aid Association
Watch Three segments of Video Interview with martyred sister Jiang family members
Interview One
Interview Two
Interview Three
A Brief Summary of the video interview-
CALL FOR JUSTICE
        — Voice from the family members of the murdered Christian Jiang Zongxiu
Narrator:
Ms. Jiang Zongxiu, a 34-year-old Christian caught distributing Bibles and gospel tracts in a Chinese marketplace in Tongzi County, Guizhou province. On June 17, 2004, Jiang and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Tan Dewei, were handcuffed together and brought to a neighboring police station. They were both interrogated throughout the evening of the 17th. The next morning they were sentenced by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) to 15 days incarceration for “suspected spreading of rumor and disturbing the social order.” On the arrest documents, they were described as having “seriously disturbed the social order by distributing children’s literature to the masses in the market.” But it was not enough for the PSB to arrest and beat these two Christian women for the crime of passing out Christian literature. During the afternoon of June 18th, Mrs. Jiang Zongxiu was pronounced dead by the PSB office of Tongzi County. They claimed she died of “natural causes.”

On the video five of Sister Jiang’s surviving family members are sitting
together: her husband with their 4- year-old son on his lap; Jiang’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Tan Dewei, who was arrested with her; Jiang’s fatherin-law; and her sister-in-law.

Husband:
I am holding up my wife’s picture. It is very painful for me. You can see the scars on her neck. You can see she was clearly beaten to death. I ask for justice for me and my 4-year-old son.

Son:
I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy.

Father-in-law:
On the morning of the 17th, I spoke with my wife and Jiang. By 2:00 the next afternoon, my precious daughter-in-law was dead. My wife asked to see her but was not allowed. She did see her feet as she lay on a table. My wife knew something was wrong. I now look at my grandson, whose mother was perfectly healthy and died after just a few hours in the custody of the police.

I spoke with the arresting police and told them that even if they arrested a murderer, they would be allowed to defend themselves. But they killed my daughter-in-law the day after her arrest.
Mother-in-law:
We went to the Puodu Town marketplace and were caught.
I was handcuffed to my daughter-in-law and brought to the police station in Tongzi County. I was kicked repeatedly during my interrogation. I noticed Jiang had been treated worse than me. They took off her shoes and beat her again. They told me they would beat me too if I didn’t obey.

Mother-in-law:
It was the morning of June 18th, when we were taken to the detention center. It was very early in the morning. They took our fingerprints and brought us to our cells. I protested that this was illegal, but it did not matter. A few days later, I remember seeing a person’s feet lying on a bed across from my cell. Officers came in to take pictures. At the time I did not know what it was about. I asked an officer what had happened, but he told me it was not my concern. I had asked to see my daughter-in-law, but they told me she was resting. When I inquired again, I was told she was very sick, in serious condition.

I kept asking to see her, but they just cursed me. Then they released me, forcing me on the train back to my village. I only learned of Jiang’s death after I arrived home. Now I know what they were taking pictures of at the detention center and why they wanted me to leave before the end of my 15-day sentence.
Sister-in-law:
We received the autopsy report on June 29th. It only stated that my sister died of natural causes, of heart failure. There was no mention of the wounds from the beatings. We asked for a second autopsy but were refused. We went to our local court, but they refused to take up our case. Now the PSB is pressuring us to cremate Jiang’s body.

Sister-in-law:
We are just ordinary Christians. All of our family is illiterate. We just want justice. They killed my sister just because she was caught sharing her faith. Why did she have to die? Why does her 4-year-old son have to grow up without a mother?

I asked permission to take pictures of my sisterin-law’s body, but they refused. So I went out and rented a camera and sneaked back in. The pictures we have were taken by me personally. It is very easy to see the wounds from her beatings. One of the PSB officers even told me secretly that we do not need another autopsy; it is easy to see that she was beaten to death.
Prayer Request
Sister Jiang Zongxiu, a resident of Qijiang County of Chongqing City of Sichuan Province, became a believer in 1994.  She loved the Lord, and was very enthusiastic for evangelism.  On June 17, 2004, she, along with her mother-in-law Tan Dewei, while distributing gospel brochures in Tongzi County, Guizhou Province, was arrested on the charge of “illegal evangelism”.  On June 18, the second day after their arrest, Sister Jiang was beaten to death, with wounds all over her body.  In order to cover up their crime, the officers of the Public Safety Bureau of Tongzi County fabricated a death certificate, on which Sister Jiang’s age was changed from 34 to 21, the time of death from June to August.  In addition, the remains of Sister Jiang were withheld.  And related authorities racketeered her family, charging them RMB 110 daily for keeping the remains.

In order for justice to be done, and to get the remains, her husband Zhang Zhenghua made several pleas to the Department of Public Safety of Guizhou Province, which produced no results.  On the contrary, he himself was beaten.
On July 21, 2005, Zhang Zhenghua, along with his five-year-old son and 62-year-old mother, went to Beijing, making a plea to the State Council, which did not produce results either.  The second day, they visited the Ministry of Public Safety.  After they presented some pictures of Jiang Zongxiu and all evidences, the receptionist told them, “We sympathize with you.  However, we cannot help you.”  So far, the case remains unsettled.
We hereby sincerely ask brothers and sisters all over the world to pray for the family of Sister Jiang, for the early return of her remains, and for the police officers.  May the Lord stop them from further persecuting Christians, and bind the evil forces in Guizhou Province!
Immanuel,

All brothers and sisters of Qijiang Church, Zhang Zhenghua and his family
Contact person: Zhang Zhenghua
Phone Number: 023-48799391
Address: Chatan Village, Gangshui Township, Qijiang County, Chongqing City, Sichuan
               Province

November 10, 2004
Appeal from the family of Jiang Zongxiu, Who Died a Sudden Death during Detention
I am Zhang Zhenghua, husband of Jiang Zongxiu, a villager of Baishi Village of Ganshui Township of Qijiang County of Chongqing City.  On June 18, 2004, my 34-year-old wife, due to her disseminating the Gospel books of the Bible, was detained by the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County of Guizhou Province in the name of “disturbing social order”.  And on that afternoon she died a sudden death for an unknown reason.  Since our marriage, my wife had been in good health, and not been afflicted by any disease.  Even if she occasionally caught cold, it was no need for her to seek treatment.  In the noon time of that day my wife told my mother, who was detained in the same place for the same reason, “The officers kicked me, and I feel very painful.”  Over two months have gone by since my wife’s death.  The leaders of the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi deceived the upper-level authorities, and intimidated the victim’s family.  It is beyond our toleration.  I hereby disclose this case to the public, hoping all conscientious people might speak out the truth and bringing those who violated the law to justice.
The following are our doubts over the death of Jiang Zongxiu:
1.      Jiang Zongxiu had been in good health before her death.  Since our marriage, I have been working in Chongqing to sustain the family.  All the work of my family, including farming the land, feeding the livestock, raising the child, taking care of my parents, had to be done by her alone.  She had never been afflicted by any disease.
2.      Jiang Zongxiu was ever beaten by the officers of the PSB of Tongzi during interrogation, which can be witnessed by my mother Tan Dewei, and some pictures taken on the site of autopsy.  There were wounds all over her body.  The current law of our country forbids beating or forcing to confession those who are in custody.
3.      Responsible officers kept lying to my mother, who was detained in the same detention center.  In the course of detention, my mother asked the officers several times about Jiang Zongxiu.  They had been lying to her and concealing the truth.  Suppose Jiang Zongxiu did die of a sudden death as the legal medical appraisers insist, it is not necessary for the PSB to conceal the truth to us.  Even at the very moment of my mother’s release on June 23, they still told her that Jiang Zongxiu had gone home.  What is more, if Jiang Zongxiu had not died, the detention center would not have released my mother ahead of schedule, who was supposed to be detained fifteen days.  And my mother would not have been sent home in car by the police officers.  The later development of this case indicates that the PSB knew that their illegal conduct had been disclosed.  Therefore, they were surprisingly well-behaved.
4.      The PSB ordered the remains to be cremated within three days.  The PSB knows exactly the autopsy is inevitable for such usual case.  They are eager to cremate the remains in order to destroy the strong evidence and shirk their responsibilities.
5.      With the hard efforts of our attorney, the autopsy was finally conducted.  In order to collect some evidences, to tell our son when he grows up what happened to his mother, we wanted to take some pictures.  At first the police officers forbade us to come closer to the site.  With our strong demand we were finally allowed to do so.  The pictures indicate that there are wounds all over the body.
6.      In the course of autopsy, we heard that one officer said, “It is unnecessary to appraise, for obviously she was beaten to death.”
7.      I found out on the autopsy site that, my wife wore prison clothes.  My request for her original clothes was declined.  As material evidence her clothes shall be submitted for appraisal and analysis.
8.      The legal medical report makes no explanation about what cause the sudden death.  The report detailed the situation of the interior organs, but failed to mention the fingerprints, cicatrices, and stripes on the body, which any lay people can identify are caused by beating.  Is it done so carelessly, or to help the PSB shirk responsibilities?
Zhang Zhenghua
Jiang Zongxiu’s husband
Sudden Death on Detention Triggers Social Meditation
Recently, the following event happened in Tongzi County of Guizhou Province: Mrs. Jiang Zongxiu, aged 34, a villager of Baishi Village, Ganshui Township, Qijiang County, Chongqing City, was arrested on June 18, 2004 due to her distribution of the Gospel books of the Bible, and was ordered to serve 15 days of administrative detention by the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County of Guizhou Province in the name of “being suspicious in disseminating rumors or instigating people to bother the social order in other ways”.  On the afternoon of that very day, Jiang Zongxiu died in the detention center.  Tan Dewei, mother-in-law of Jiang Zongxiu, was also arrested at the same time, who claimed, “In the course of detention, Jiang Zongxiu was kicked.  And we were order to take off our shoes.  And our hairs were messed up.”  On June 22, the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County notified Jiang Zongxiu’s family that she died of acute disease.  However, Zhang Zhenghua, her husband, and many fellow villagers said that she had been in good health, and all the farming work had been on her shoulders.  Currently, due to the efforts of Jiang Zongxiu’s family, her remains were preserved and deposited in a funeral home in Tongzi County at the cost of 100 Yuan (about $ 12) per day, which should be borne by her family.  On June 28, the appraisal institution of Zunyi City conducted the autopsy.  The cause of her death is to be appraised.  Jiang Zongxiu’s family, after seeing her remains, claimed that there was a lot of blood on the remains.

This case has triggered strong reactions from the people of Tongzi County, and Qijiang County of Chongqing City, Jiang Zongxiu’s hometown, who want to know why Jiang Zongxiu suddenly died, and urge the relevant authorities to find the truth according to law.  As people all over the country are learning from Ren Changxia, a model policewoman, the society shall meditate more on this case.  The death of Ren Changxia is a huge loss to the police.  She has left enormous spiritual treasure for the society.  All law-enforcement officers, including the police, shall learn the lofty spirit of serving the people with all heart and making unselfish contributions from Ren Changxia, cultivate sound makings of law enforcement, and become qualified law-enforcement officers.  Law-enforcement officers at all levels shall, according to law, truly safeguard human rights in their actual works, enforce the laws for the people, live up to their conscience, not put the state seal on their hats on shame, and maintain the social stability.  And law-enforcement agencies at all levels shall improve their management ability, and reduce vicious events under their jurisdictions.
As far as this case is concerned, though the appraisal result is yet to come, and final conclusion of Jiang Zongxiu’s death is yet to conclude, it is normal for people to be doubtful: Did 34-year-old Jiang Zongxiu really die a natural death?  How come did she happen to die in the detention center on the very day when she was detained?  It is claimed that the appraisal institution in Zunyi City is a local authoritative one.  And the appraisers are very experienced.  People believe that this case will be dealt with according to law, since it is an issue involving judicial justice and enforcing the laws for the people.
(This article is published by the Legal Daily on July 5, 2004)

Lawsuit against the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County
And All Relevant Criminal Suspects

Plaintiff: Zhang Zhenghua, male, aged 32, Han nationality, villager of Baishi Village of Ganshui Township, Qijiang County, Chongqing City.

Defendant: the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County, Guizhou Province, and all relevant personnel.
The Prosecutorate of Tongzi County, Guizhou Province:
In accordance with the Criminal Code, the Criminal litigation Code, and other related laws and regulations of our country, I hereby file suit against the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County and all relevant officers who are suspects in the case on the sudden death of my wife Jiang Zongxiu in the detention center of the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County on June 18, 2004.
I.                    The facts on the death of Jiang Zongxiu and the status quo of this case
My wife Jiang Zongxiu, aged 34, a villager of Baishi Village of Ganshui Township of Qijiang County of Chongqing City, survived by a 4-year-old son, believed in Christianity.  On June 17, 2004, Jiang Zongxiu and my mother Tan Dewei were subpoenaed by Podu Township Police Station of the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County while they were on their shopping trip.  The next day, the PSB of Tongzi County ordered them to be detained 15 days in the name of “being suspicious in disseminating rumors, and instigating others to bother the social order in other ways”.  On the same day, namely June 18, 2004, my wife Jiang Zongxiu died a sudden death in the detention center.  On June 28, 2004, Deng Weian, Yang Yongfu, and Liu Yong, who are from the Pathological Autopsy Research Center of Zunyi Medical College, conducted the autopsy to find the cause to the death.  The result is yet to come.  After the autopsy, at the efforts of our family, Jiang Zongxiu’s remains were preserved and deposited in a funeral home in Tongzi County.  We must pay 100 Yuan (about $ 12) per day.
My mother Tan Dewei was arrested at the same time, and was released after the death of Jiang Zongxiu.

II.                 Facts and some evidences related to some officers of the PSB of Tongzi County who are suspects in committing the crime
My wife Jiang Zongxiu had been in good health.  While I worked outside my hometown, the farming works were all on her shoulders.  She was arrested during her shopping trip to Tongzi County of Guizhou Province, and died suddenly on the day of being detained.  I think that, the sudden death of Jiang Zongxiu is not natural.  Instead, it is caused by forced confession and violent beating.  Some officers of Tongzi PSB are suspects in forcing her to confess and purposely harming her.  Key evidences are as followed:

1.      The notice issued by the PSB, which states that Jiang Zongxiu is subpoenaed.
2.      Decision on Administrative Punishment issued by the PSB, which states that Jiang Zongxiu is to be detained for 15 days.
3.      Tan Dewei, who was detained at the same time, testifies that, “On June 18, we were interrogated by the PSB.  In the course of interrogation Jiang Zongxiu was kicked by an officer.  One officer ordered us to take off our shoes and mess up our hairs, and terrified us saying, ‘Let me teach you a lesson€¦'”
4.      Tan Shiqian (male, Han nationality, born in 1963, villager of Chatan Village of Ganshui Township of Qijiang County, Chongqing City) testifies that, “As far as I know, Jiang Zongxiu has been in good health.  Her husband Zhang Zhenghua works in other place.  She takes care of the farming works, and her crops grow very well.”
5.      Tan Shilian, Jiang Zongxiu’s sister-in-law, testifies that, “Jiang Zongxiu suffers from no disease except cold.  She has joined our family for ten years, and has been in good health.  And she never goes to hospital.  All the housework are on her shoulders.”
6.      Tan Shiwei, villager of Chatan Village of Ganshui Township of Qijiang County of Chongqing City, testifies that, “Jiang Zongxiu has been in good health.  All the farming work of her family are on her shoulders, for her husband works in other place.  Since she joined my aunt’s family, I have never heard of her being sick.  We are getting along with each other very well.  I have never seen she gets sick.”
7.      Zhang Faxing, Jiang Zongxiu’s father-in-law, testifies that, “Jiang Zongxiu has been in this family for ten years.  She never gets sick.  My son has been working in other place.  Therefore, she has to take care of the farming works and a 4-year-old kid. It is incredible that she died shortly after being arrested by the PSB.”
8.      Zhang Chengxue, villager of Zhuyuan Village of Dongxi Township of Qijiang County of Chongqing City, testifies that, “Jiang Zongxiu and I know each other.  She never gets sick.  And she has been in good health.”
9.      Zhang Zhengyou, who works in Jijiang Township Tea Table Factory in Jiangjin City, Sichuan Province, testifies that, “My sister-in-law Jiang Zongxiu was arrested by the PSB of Tongzi County while she was preaching the gospel.  How come did she die ten hours later?  She has been in good health.  All the housework is on her shoulders, for my brother has been working in other place.”
10.  Zhang Zhengyou, who witnessed the autopsy, testifies that, “There are a lot of blood clots on the remains.  It is evident that there are signs of physical beating.”
11.  The picture of Jiang Zongxiu’s remains.
12.  The notice issued by a funeral home in Tongzi County on June 28, 2004.
III.               Relevant officers of the PSB of Tongzi County shall bear criminal and civil responsibilities.
Citizens’ right to life cannot be violated.  My wife Jiang Zongxiu died without a clear cause during detention.  The PSB of Tongzi County and Relevant officers are suspects in the forced confession and purposefully harming.  They shall bear criminal and civil responsibilities over the death of Jiang Zongxiu.  This incident has triggered strong reactions in my hometown.  People urge the relevant authorities to find the cause to Jiang Zongxiu’s death, and bring criminals to justice.  On July 4, 2004, the Legal Daily reported this case on its second page through an article titles “The Sudden Death on Detention Triggers Social Meditation”.  Many medias in Beijing and Shanghai are watching the further development of this case.

To punish the criminals and let the justice be done, in accordance with the Criminal Code, the Criminal Litigation Code, and other laws and regulations of our country, I hereby file a suit to the People’s Prosecutorate against the PSB of Tongzi County and all relevant officers who are suspects in this case, requesting the Prosecutorate to find the brute facts on Jiang Zongxiu’s death, and bring the criminals to justice, and asking for an evaluation of the appraisal conclusion about to be made by the legal medical experts.
Signed and sealed by Zhang Zhenghua
July 26, 2004

Excerpt of the Autopsy Conclusion
The autopsy was conducted by the Legal Medical Appraisal Center of Zunyi Medical College on June 28, 2004.  The overall analysis finds that there is no sign of mechanical violence and mechanical suffocation.  The possibility that the death may be caused by outside forces can be ruled out.  And the possibility that the death may be caused by poisons can also be ruled out.  Based on the autopsy, the diagnosis of fat heart is evident.  And a pathological change caused by acute heart failure is obvious.  No other fatal disease is found.  Therefore, Jiang Zongxiu dies a sudden death, which is caused by fat heart.

Application for Reappraising the Cause to Jiang Zongxiu’s Death
The Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County of Guizhou Province,
Entrusted by you, the Legal Medical Appraisal Center, which is affiliated with Zunyi Medical College has issued the pathological appraisal statement, which states that Jiang Zongxiu’s sudden death is caused by fat heart.  We have received a copy of this statement from you at 7:00 pm on July 29, 2004.  And we hereby request a reappraisal.

I.                   Why to request a reappraisal
We have witnessed that there are a lot of black blood clots on Jiang Zongxiu’s remains.  On the basis of what we have seen, and after consulting some experts, we think that this appraisal does not comprehensively, objectively and truly reflect the truth on the cause of her death.  In particular, it does not clarify what factors trigger the fat heart to cause her sudden death, and does not indicate the rate of the fat-heart-related death, and the preconditions of such death.  In addition, the appraisal statement does not give detailed description, which is not in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.  Therefore, this appraisal cannot convince us.

II.                What to be reappraised
In order to further confirm the cause to Jiang Zongxiu’s sudden death, and for our family to be convinced, we, in accordance with the relevant laws, request you to entrust the Material Evidence Appraisal Center of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China to make a legal medical reappraisal on Jiang Zongxiu’s body shell and internal organs sample obtained by Zunyi Medical College.  The contents of the reappraisal shall include: 1. What factors trigger Jiang Zongxiu’s death of fat heart or other causes; 2. What is the rate of such death; 3. Under what kind of environment these factors may cause Jiang Zongxiu’s death.

III.             Issues to be taken care of
It is necessary to make clear that upon our application and consent of the Civil Affairs Bureau of Tongzi County, the deposit term of Jiang Zongxiu’s remains in the funeral home of Tongzi County can be extended only 20 days as of August 1, 2004.  Considering that whether or not there are exterior wounds needs to be reexamined in the course of reappraisal, we request you to follow the required procedures, and entrust the Material Evidence Appraisal Center of the Ministry of Public Security to do the reappraisal as soon as possible.  We have consulted this center, which may accept the reappraisal entrustment from county-level public security bureaus including you.  If on your account Jiang Zongxiu’s remains were destroyed within this period of time with a result that the reappraisal could not be done, you would bear corresponding responsibilities.

Contact information of The Material Evidence Appraisal Center of the Ministry of Public Security:
Address: P.O.Box 3817, Beijing 100038
Tel. No.: 010-63432319
We hereby make it clear that we have no intention to be into purposeful antagonism with you.  What we want is convincing appraising conclusion so that our whole family can be comforted.
Applicant:  Zhang Zhenghua
                                    Zhang Zhengyou
Filing date:        August 2, 2004

Application for Reappraising the Cause to Jiang Zongxiu’s Death and Extending the Deposit Term of Her Remains
To: the Public Security Bureau of Zunyi City of Guizhou Province
Bureau Chief and other leaders,
We are Zhang Zhenghua and Zhang Zhengyou, the family of Jiang Zongxiu.  Entrusted by the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County, the Legal Medical Appraisal Center, which is affiliated with Zunyi Medical College has issued the pathological appraisal statement, which states that Jiang Zongxiu’s sudden death is caused by fat heart.  We have received a copy of this statement from you at 7:00 pm on July 29, 2004.  And we hereby request a reappraisal on the cause to her death, and an extension of the deposit term of her remains.

IV.              Why to request a reappraisal
We have witnessed that there are a lot of black blood clots on Jiang Zongxiu’s remains.  On the basis of what we have seen, and after consulting some experts, we think that this appraisal does not comprehensively, objectively and truly reflect the truth on the cause of her death.  In particular, it does not clarify what factors trigger the fat heart to cause her sudden death, and does not indicate the rate of the fat-heart-related death, and the preconditions of such death.  In addition, the appraisal statement does not give detailed description, which is not in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.  Therefore, this appraisal cannot convince us.

V.                 What to be reappraised
In order to further confirm the cause to Jiang Zongxiu’s sudden death, and for our family to be convinced, we, in accordance with the relevant laws, request you to entrust the Material Evidence Appraisal Center of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China to make a legal medical reappraisal on Jiang Zongxiu’s body shell and internal organs sample obtained by Zunyi Medical College.  The contents of the reappraisal shall include: 1. What factors trigger Jiang Zongxiu’s death of fat heart or other causes; 2. What is the rate of such death; 3. Under what kind of environment these factors may cause Jiang Zongxiu’s death.

VI.              Issues to be taken care of
It is necessary to make clear that upon our application and consent of the Civil Affairs Bureau of Tongzi County, the deposit term of Jiang Zongxiu’s remains in the funeral home of Tongzi County can be extended only 20 days as of August 1, 2004.  Considering that whether or not there are exterior wounds needs to be reexamined in the course of reappraisal, we request you to follow the required procedures, and entrust the Material Evidence Appraisal Center of the Ministry of Public Security to do the reappraisal as soon as possible.  If the appraisal cannot be done by August 21, 2004, please authorize the deposit term of Jiang Zongxiu’s remains to be extended.  We have consulted this center, which may accept the reappraisal entrustment from public security bureaus at county level or above.

Contact information of The Material Evidence Appraisal Center of the Ministry of Public Security:
Address: P.O.Box 3817, Beijing 100038
Tel. No.: 010-63432319
Applicant: Zhang Zhenghua, Zhang Zhengyou
Filing date: August 14, 2004

Reply of the PSB of Tongzi County to the Application for Reappraising the Cause to Jiang Zongxiu’s Death Filed by Zhang Zhenghua and others
Zhang Zhenhua, Zhang Zhengyou and your attorney Zhang Yuwei,
We have received on August 4, 2004 your application for reappraising the cause to Jiang Zongxiu’s death.  The following reply is hereby made:

I.                    The legal medical appraisal is done by the Legal Medical Appraisal Center of Zunyi Medical College upon the application of Jiang Zongxiu’s family, and under the entrustment of the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County and her family.  As one of the entrusters, we think that the pathological appraisal conclusion is scientific, true, objective and just.  Therefore, we have no objection to it.
II.                 If you are doubtful of the appraisal conclusion, you may directly contact and consult the appraiser.  If you request a reappraisal, you may contact the relevant institutions yourselves.
III.               After the autopsy on June 28, 2004, Jiang Zongxiu’s family has claimed her remains, and paid fee to the funeral home.  Her remains are currently deposited in the funeral home.  Regarding how to deal with it, you may contact and consult the funeral home.
IV.              The contact information of the Legal Medical Appraisal Center of Zunyi Medical College.
November 10, 2004
Appeal from the family of Jiang Zongxiu, Who Died a Sudden Death during Detention
I am Zhang Zhenghua, husband of Jiang Zongxiu, a villager of Baishi Village of Ganshui Township of Qijiang County of Chongqing City. On June 18, 2004, the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi County of Guizhou Province in the name of “disturbing social order” detained my 34-year-old wife, due to her disseminating the Gospel books of the Bible. And on that afternoon she died a sudden death for an unknown reason. Since our marriage, my wife has been in good health, and has not been afflicted by any disease. Even if she occasionally caught cold, it was no need for her to seek treatment. In the noontime of that day my wife told my mother, who was detained in the same place for the same reason, “The officers kicked me, and I feel very painful.” Over four months have gone by since my wife’s death. The leaders of the Public Security Bureau of Tongzi deceived the upper-level authorities, and intimidated the victim’s family. It is beyond our toleration. I hereby disclose this case to the public, hoping all conscientious people might speak out the truth and bringing those who violated the law to justice.
The following are our doubts over the death of Jiang Zongxiu:

1.      Jiang Zongxiu had been in good health before her death. Since our marriage, I have been working in Chongqing to sustain the family. All the work of my family, including farming the land, feeding the livestock, raising the child, taking care of my parents, had to be done by her alone. She had never been afflicted by any disease.
2.      Jiang Zongxiu was severly beaten by the officers of the PSB of Tongzi during interrogation, which can be witnessed by my mother Tan Dewei, and some pictures taken on the site of autopsy. There were wounds all over her body. The current law of our country forbids beating or forcing a confession from those who are in custody.
3.      Responsible officers kept lying to my mother, who was detained in the same detention center. In the course of detention, my mother asked the officers several times about Jiang Zongxiu. They had been lying to her and concealing the truth. Suppose Jiang Zongxiu did die of a sudden death as the legal medical appraisers insist, it is not necessary for the PSB to conceal the truth to us. Even at the very moment of my mother’s release on June 23, they still told her that Jiang Zongxiu had gone home.  What is more, if Jiang Zongxiu had not died, the detention center would not have released my mother ahead of schedule, who was supposed to be detained fifteen days.  And my mother would not have been sent home in car by the police officers. The later development of this case indicates that the PSB knew that their illegal conduct had been disclosed. Therefore, they were surprisingly well behaved.
4.      The PSB ordered the remains to be cremated within three days. The PSB knows an autopsy is inevitable for such an usual case. They are eager to cremate the remains in order to destroy the strong evidence and shirk their responsibilities.
5.      With the hard efforts of our attorney, the autopsy was finally conducted. In order to collect some evidences, to tell our son when he grows up what happened to his mother, we wanted to take some pictures. At first the police officers forbade us to come closer to the site. With our strong demand we were finally allowed to do so.  The pictures indicate that there are wounds all over the body.
6.      In the course of autopsy, we heard that one officer said, “It is unnecessary to appraise, for obviously she was beaten to death.”
7.      I found out on the autopsy site that, my wife wore prison clothes. My request for her original clothes was declined. As material evidence her clothes shall be submitted for appraisal and analysis.
8.      The legal medical report makes no explanation about what cause the sudden death.  The report detailed the situation of the interior organs, but failed to mention the fingerprints, imprints, and stripes on the body, which any lay people can identify are caused by beating. Is it done so carelessly, or to help the PSB shirk responsibilities?
Zhang Zhenghua
Jiang Zongxiu’s husband



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Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected] 
Website: www.chinaaid.org

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Video Interview with Martyr Jiang Zongxiu Family members

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