A CHRISTIAN died in Hunan province after police hung him by his ankles, beat him and refused him a doctor, according to a report by the United States-based News Network International (NNI).
The victim, Zheng Musheng, was among 21 Protestants held on January 5 during a raid by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on a prayer meeting in the village of Moyan, Dongkou county.
While the others were later released, Christian sources said Zheng was falsely accused of raping 70 women and taken to the Huangni River PSB station in Shanmen district.
NNI said it first learned of Zheng's fate in January from a letter sent by Hunan Christians to a Hong Kong church group, but published the news only after it had had confirmation from religious sources in China.
According to NNI, prosecution of Christians in Hunan has been rampant and police have often arrested underground Christians for ''disturbing public order''.
The letter said Zheng was beaten by three officers at the police station while other officials raided his home and seized all valuable belongings.