Chinese Christian human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, has been "kidnapped' again by the Chinese communist regime after speaking up about the torture he experienced while in prison, according to a Christian non-profit.
Gao had first been detained in 2006, sentenced to three years in prison and five years on probation for attempting to "subvert the state power." He was released from prison by Chinese authorities on August 7, 2014 to a remote province in Xinjiang where he was under constant surveillance.
In March, Gao revealed his experiences in an interview with ChinaAid, a Christian human rights organization, and with journalists from the Associated Press. He spoke of the torture mechanisms used against him, such as being hit with an electric baton to his face and of his time spent in confinement for three years. The government also shut down his law firm in Beijing and revoked his license to practice law.
A day after the content of his interview was made public by AP and a video of Gao was uploaded to youtube by ChinaAid on Wednesday, Gao was kidnapped by the Chinese Public Security Bureau. His current whereabouts are unknown, according to Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid.
Gao is a two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, known for his advocacy for human rights in China and for defending Christians and other social minority groups.
When asked if he would seek exile abroad and reunite with his family in the U.S., Gao told AP, "I thought about giving up and giving my time to my family, but it's the mission God has given me."
