US Congresswoman Eshoo: Join Me in Calling on China to Release Charles Li

(clearwisdom.net) [Editor's note: The below is Congresswoman Eshoo's letter to the members of U.S. House of Representatives.]

February 5, 2003

Dear Colleague:

Please join me in sending the attached letter to the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Yang Jiechi, regarding the imprisonment of Mr. Charles Li, an American citizen and a Falun Gong practitioner who has been accused of sabotaging television and radio equipment in China.

Mr. Li traveled to China to visit family members and was immediately detained at Guangzhou Airport on January 22nd. The Department of State has confirmed Mr. Li's detention. The Chinese government alleges that Mr. Li broke into cable television networks and transmitted films protesting the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. These claims seem spurious at best. Mr. Li was residing in California at the time the Chinese government purports interference with its cable television network. If convicted Mr. Li could face up to 15 years in prison.

I urge you to join me in conveying our concerns about Mr. Li and requesting his release. To sign on to the attached letter or for more information, contact Arisbe Aguirre in my office by February 13, 2003 at [extension] 5-8104 [direct number 202-225-8104].

Sincerely,

Anna G. Eshoo

February XX, 2003

The Honorable Yang Jiechi, Ambassador
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Dear Ambassador [Yang],

We are writing to express our serious concerns regarding the arrest and detainment of Mr. Charles Li, a U.S. citizen and resident of Menlo Park, California. Mr. Li was arrested shortly after his arrival at China's Guangzhou Airport on January 22, 2003, on charges of sabotaging television and radio broadcast systems. No evidence of the purported crimes has been provided. Mr. Li has adamantly denied these charges through a U.S. consular representative in Shanghai and maintains he has been arrested solely because of his practice of Falun Gong.

We are extremely concerned about the religious persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China who have been detained and tortured because of their beliefs.

We respectfully and urgently ask that you do everything possible to ensure Mr. Li's safety and effect his immediate release.

Sincerely,

Anna G. Eshoo
Member of Congress

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