Mr. Hu, in his fifties, had been in good health after practicing Falun Dafa. He was known for his hard-working, kindhearted nature. When Falun Dafa and its practitioners were subjected to wrongful treatment, he went to Beijing to raise public awareness at the beginning of 2000. He was arrested by the police and viciously beaten while in custody. The police released him after fining him over 6,000 yuan. Mr. Hu lost his job and had to make a living by working at odd jobs.

On the afternoon of April 16, 2004, Zhou Zhuwen, Yang Lixin, Wu Chang and other officers from the Hengyang City State Security Unit broke into his home and abducted him. He was handcuffed and hung up, viciously beaten, and force-fed unknown toxic substances as the officers tried to pressure him to give up his belief. Mr. Hu almost passed out, and suffered from enlargement of both liver and spleen, and hemorrhaging in other internal organs.

The police also froze his bank account, making it impossible for him to get timely treatment for his severe injuries. Mr. Hu Weiping died on December 27, 2004 as a result of this police brutality.