French Association of Falun Gong: French Judge Requests Investigation into the Chinese Police about the Persecution of Falun Gong

The plaintiffs being interviewed by a national radio, France Culture -- a total of six media correspondents attended, three national French radio and press agency and three Chinese (Taiwan, Hong Kong and New Tang Dynasty)	M William Bourdon and M Beauthier, the two lawyers who have also successfully filed complaints against Pinochet

Paris -- French Association of Falun Gong, 14 Dec. 2004 -- Mrs. Faucherie, an examining magistrate at the Court of Justice in Paris, recently issued an International Letters Rogatory, asking the Chinese authorities for a certain number of explanations and acts.

This International Letters Rogatory was transmitted to the Chinese authorities as a follow up of two complaints filed in France, one in December 2002 against the Head of the 610 Office, Vice-Premier Li Lanqing and the other one in January 2004 against the Chinese Minister of Culture -- respectively for crimes of torture and complicity o torture in the repression of Falun Gong.

Through this International Letters Rogatory, the judge asks the Chinese authorities concerned to investigate into the role of the 610 Office, formerly headed by Li Lanqing, in the organisation of the persecution of Falun Gong. The 610 Office is an office set up for the purpose of carrying out a campaign of terror to eradicate Falun Gong (more than 75 000 imprisoned, according to the Chinese government itself). This "office" formerly under the responsibility of Li Lanqing, is accused of institutionalising torture against those who practice Falun Gong, and has caused the death of more than 1,160 people*.

Finally, it is expected that the role of the Chinese Minister of Culture be inquired into regarding the repression, in particular his responsibility in the control of Internet in China and the national propaganda aiming at defaming Falun Gong and the hate crimes committed against Falun Gong.

To answer questions on this unprecedented procedure and its implications for the future, journalists were invited to a press conference at the office of lawyer Me. Bourdon who represents the plaintiffs.

Date : Thursday 16 decembre, 17:00

place : Cabinet Bourdon, 156 Rue de Rivoli -- Paris 1^er

Participants :

Me William Bourdon and Ma tre Beauthier, the two lawyers who had also successfully filed complaints against Pinochet

Helene Petit, a French plaintiff

Chen Zhumei, a Chinese plaintiff

Alain Tong, President of the French Association of Falun Gong

* the number of deaths that have been verified so far, which the experts multiply by five, because of the des information blockade by the Chinese regime.