Couple tortured by guards in south China

Police in south China have detained six public security guards for allegedly torturing a couple for 13 hours and then hiring three men to beat up the husband, leaving him in a coma.

The 21-year-old husband named Sun Xiaofei is still in intensive care in Changan Hospital today, with a life-threatening skull fracture and other injuries, reported Southern Metropolis News today.

Police said the couple's medical fees will be covered by the Changan Township government in south China's Dongguan City, Guangdong Province. They have caught two suspects and are still looking for the third, the report said.

Sun and his wife Wang Qing were arrested by the guards at 9am last Wednesday after Wang picked up a wad of money from the street.

They were taken to the public security bureau but were soon released for lack of evidence.

However, the civil security force compelled them to stay in two separate rooms at their office, urging them to tell the truth.

Sun was ordered to do push-ups and got beaten up by batons and belts because he did it too slowly. Wang was forced to take off her pants for a thorough physical check, the report said.

After the couple were released after midnight, three men rushed to beat up Sun with water pipes, leaving him covered in blood, according to the newspaper.

With over one million residents, the township has only 400 police officers and hires civil security guards as a supplement.

Guards can earn rewards if a criminal is caught, which might led to torture in custody, said a police officer anonymously.

By Zhang Xuanchen