This paper offers an emic account of the persecution of The Church of Almighty God (CAG) in China, presented by a CAG member currently living as a refugee in Italy. The analysis highlights the paradoxical use of "brainwashing" accusations by Chinese authorities, noting that the very term "brainwashing" was originally coined by Cold War-era CIA propaganda to describe alleged psychological techniques attributed to the Chinese Communist Party. Despite its propagandistic origins and lack of scientific grounding, the concept has been appropriated by the Chinese state to delegitimize CAG beliefs, justify mass arrests, and rationalize coercive "transformation" practices. Drawing on personal experience, testimonies from fellow believers, and documented patterns of repression, the paper examines how these narratives underpin a broader system of surveillance, detention, and forced ideological reeducation. The study further explores how this persecution has become transnational, extending beyond China's borders through diplomatic pressure, misinformation campaigns, and attempts to discredit or intimidate CAG asylum seekers in countries such as South Korea and Italy. By foregrounding the lived experience of a refugee practitioner, the paper illuminates the psychological, social, and legal challenges faced by CAG members seeking protection abroad and raises broader questions about religious freedom, state power, and the global reach of authoritarian repression.