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One moment Cheng Lei was off to work, the next she was arrested, blindfolded and forced into a prison cell. For almost three years, Lei endured psychological torture after she was wrongly accused of being a spy. Locked in a padded cell, the journalist was under constant surveillance, with two guards never leaving her side. The lights never turned off, eerie Beethoven music was played every morning and she was only allowed to say five sentences a day. It was a horror Lei thought would never end.

This episode contains mentions of suicide and family violence, if you need support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800 737 732.

Cheng Lei: My Story premieres Tuesday June 3 at 7:30pm AEST on Sky News Australia

Stream at SkyNews.com.au or download the Sky News Australia app

Cheng Lei: A Memoir Of Freedom by Cheng Lei will be published by HarperCollins on Wednesday, June 4 and is available to pre-order now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.