Archive · 19 May 2025
Australian Man Recounts Prison Ordeal in China
An Australian man, Matthew Radalj, shared his story of spending five years in a Chinese prison.
He described harsh treatment, including beatings, lack of food, and isolation.
He was forced to sign a confession and lived in cramped cells with minimal hygiene.
Radalj secretly kept a diary, surviving solitary confinement and a flawed points system.
Upon release, he returned to Australia, reunited with family and is now helping other prisoners.
Matthew Radalj, an Australian, spent five years in Beijing No. 2 Prison.
Radalj described brutal treatment, including beatings and lack of food and water.
He was forced to sign a fabricated confession to reduce his sentence.
Radalj kept a secret diary while imprisoned.
He was released on October 5, 2024 and now helps families of prisoners.
- Who
- Matthew Radalj, an Australian video producer.
- What
- Radalj's experience of imprisonment and harsh treatment in a Chinese prison.
- When
- Detained in January 2020 and released October 5, 2024.
- Where
- Beijing No. 2 Prison, China.
- Why
- Radalj was arrested after a dispute, and endured imprisonment due to a fabricated confession.
- Prison Location
- Beijing No. 2 Prison
- Detainment Start
- January 2020
- Imprisonment Duration
- Five years
- Reason for Detainment
- Detained after dispute over phone repair.
- Sentence Reduction
- Fabricated confession led to reduced sentence.
- Release Date
- October 5, 2024