Shahkiel Akbar discovered a letter claiming to be written by a Chinese torture victim after buying a pair of budget black cotton socks from a store in Newcastle’s Metrocentre.
The call centre worker, from Fenham, Newcastle, had to note translated into English and found what appeared to be a desperate cry for help.
The letter read
‘SOS letter’
My name is Ding Tingkun. I am a 39 year old male residing at this address:
I was falsely accused of fraud and blackmail and sentenced to three years in prison on 28th June, 2014.
This was because I travelled to Beijing to report cases of corruption in the police force and how officials were abandoning their duties to protect criminals and gangs.
I appealed my sentence and the court overturned the sentence, based on the fact that the details of my case were unclear and that evidence was insufficient.
I am currently being forcibly detained in a detention centre in Lingbi County.
My body and soul have been subjected to extreme torture and damage!
To the person who sees this, please hand the letter to President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang or tell the media!
Thank you! My wife and I have been rendered disabled from our treatment.
Ding Tingkun
22nd June, 2015
P.S. My brother’s number is ***********