By Doug Miller

July 28, 2001

HOUSTON -- Houston doctors are treating a man who was seriously burned in China. The burn victim says what happened to him was no accident - he was tortured for his beliefs.

Recovering from severe burns can be painful. But "this is nothing compared to what he's been through," said Park Plaza Hospital's Dr. Gail Burbridge.

Tan Younje said what he's been through is sheer torture, literally.

"It's mind boggling how some human beings can be so cruel to other human beings," said Dr. Burbridge.

Mr. Tan says he's a victim of the crackdown on practitioners of Falun Gong in China. He's got over a dozen third-degree burns on his legs. And, he says, Chinese police are the ones responsible.

"They took iron rods and they heated them up in a furnace and they stuck it to his legs, and pressed it in," said Younje's translator.

He says he managed to escape to Hong Kong, where he secretly boarded a boat heading for California.

After Mr. Tan arrived in California, he began hitchhiking, and ended up in Houston at the Star Of Hope Mission. After it became obvious they were dealing with a man who was severely injured, he was sent to Park Plaza Hospital.

Doctors say it's a miracle he's alive. Those who practice Falun Gong say what happened to Mr. Tan is more evidence of oppression that hasn't gone away. And, they're hoping to put exert pressure on China to change.

Doctors say Mr. Tan is expected to make a full recovery. He says he wants to go back to China, but he's too scared.  

http://www.khou.com/news/stories/9702.html

Posting date: 7/30/2001
Original article date: 7/28/2001
Category: News & Media Reports

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_____Related Articles_____ AP: Falun Gong member recovering in Houston [7/30/2001] The Incredible Journey of An Injured Falun Gong Practitioner Who Escaped from China to Houston Under Miraculous Circumstances [7/29/2001]