As kids, squatting was an oft-used method of discipline whenever we’re caught doing something wrong. However, if taken too far, can lead to dire consequences.
A boy in China is now left with kidney failure after he was allegedly made to do 1,000 squats at a corrective education centre, much to the horror of his father.
Sent to centre for stealing
According to Firstpost, 15-year-old Ajun from Guilin in Guangxi province was caught stealing 3,500 yuan (approx. RM2,059) from a parked car in August 2023.
However, since his age was below the minimum legal age for criminal prosecution in China, Ajun was sent to Yongqing School to undergo behavioural reform.
The move was initially approved by his father, Jiang Peifeng, genuinely believed it would do his son some good.
“He was a bit mischievous but had never broken the law before. They did not tell me what he had done, they just said they would tell me once things became clear,” he said.
Forced to do 1,000 squats
Barely less than a month later, Jiang was contacted by the Yongzhou Central Hospital and told that his son was in a critical condition, where his entire body was swollen and covered in sores.
He later discovered that Ajun was forced to do approximately 1,000 deep squats in 45 minutes on September 1 2023 by a drill officer surnamed Du.
The instructor made me do them with my hands clasped behind my head. I counted about 1,000. Afterwards, my legs were shaking and I could barely stand,” said the boy.
Three days later, Ajun saw blood in his urine and swelling in his legs. Despite a diagnosis indicating the presence of kidney cysts, physical training sessions reportedly continued.
At one of those sessions, he was allegedly slapped and kicked by the instructor and forced to remain standing.
As such, Ajun’s condition continued to go downhill and was eventually diagnosed with kidney disease and a high level of urine in his blood.
In June 2024, Ajun had a kidney transplant and Jiang had to sell off the home and took out a 450,000 yuan (approx. RM26400) bank loan to cover nearly one million yuan (approx. RM588,300) in medical expenses.
Lawsuit filed
A lawsuit was later filed by Jiang against the Yongzhou Public Security Bureau Lengshuitan Branch and Yongqing School.
In March of this year, forensic investigators found that Ajun’s medical condition was caused by excessive physical punishment and classified him as having a level five disability.
On June 18, the Yongzhou Intermediate People’s Court held a second trial for the case but a verdict has yet to be announced.
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