CHINA—On December 7, Geng He, wife of renowned Beijing-based human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, was able to meet with one of her friends for the first time since Gao’s arrest in August.
A Sound of Hope journalist learned of the meeting during an interview with mainland China human rights activist Hu Jia. Hu’s wife, Zeng Jinyan, was able to meet with Geng He. The meeting only lasted for 10 minutes.
Hu said that the two women met under the close scrutiny of four plain clothed police. His wife described Geng He as thin and plain, looking gaunt but seeming stronger than she was when Gao was first arrested. Geng’s little finger that had been broken by the police had healed but was deformed. Her chest was still bruised from the police beating.
Hu Jia said, “I knew that Geng He was going out to do something, so I asked Jinyan [Hu’s wife] to meet with her. I knew Geng He has been depressed, and that it would be beneficial if Jinyan could comfort her because I am currently still under house arrest.”
Hu’s wife learned that Gao’s daughter was also under tremendous pressure. The 13-year-old girl had fallen ill four times in the past three months. She used to be very healthy and had never been sick during the past several years.
Geng He knew that Gao had been honored with the “2006 Special Human Rights Award” by the Chinese Liberal Culture Movement. Still she was very concerned about her husband’s wellbeing.
