Epoch Times: Argentine Falun Gong Sue Chinese Official One Day, Thugs Beat Them the Next --Argentina experiences pressure from CCP

By Charmaine Millott, Epoch Times Staff

Dec 16, 2005

Falun Gong practitioners in Argentina greeted visiting high-ranking Chinese official Luo Gan with a lawsuit. The next day Falun Gong practitioners outside the Argentine parliament were beaten by a gang of Chinese men, who are believed to have been hired by the Chinese Embassy.

On Dec.14, 2005, Falun Gong adherents protested at Congress Square in Buenos Aires. They held banners and told members of the Argentine parliament about the persecution of Falun Gong in China. They announced details about the lawsuit against Luo Gan that was filed the day before, and explained the crimes that Luo Gan has committed.

A bus and several cars of Chinese nationals arrived. This large group was organized, and divided into bands of ten. These bands set upon and beat the practitioners. The gang also stole their banners and photo displays. Other groups protesting there also had their banners taken. Members of those groups who tried to intervene and protect the Falun Gong were themselves attacked. Female Falun Gong practitioners were said to have suffered the worst beatings.

The police were present but did nothing to stop the attackers. They did not arrest a single one. One Falun Gong practitioner recalled a policeman being kicked. A Falun Gong practitioner was told by a policeman that the police had orders not to interfere with the attack.

The harassment and assault took place just shortly before the Congressional meeting between Luo Gan and Argentina's vice president. A large number of media were also present since the Argentine Congress had a newly elected senate and parliament for which an inauguration ceremony was to take place at the same time.

Because so many media were present, this brazen daylight attack will not be forgotten. TV crews were on hand and filmed the incident. Falun Gong practitioners stated they would hold all involved accountable.

The incident happened on the heels of a criminal lawsuit for genocide and crimes against humanity filed against Luo Gan, the head of the notorious 610 office and Secretary of the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee.

The suit was filed at the Federal Criminal Court in Buenos Aires, on Dec.13, 2005. The lawsuit was promptly accepted by Judge Octavio, with practitioners of Falun Gong testifying. The renowned criminal lawyer Adolfo Casabal Elia and Alejandro Cowes, a civil lawyer, are representing the Falun Gong practitioners free of charge.

Similar lawsuits against Luo Gan are occurring in fourteen other countries around the world. Because of his human rights record, Luo Gan is not welcome into Canada and the U.S.

In 1999 Jiang Zemin ordered the persecution and Luo Gan helped establish the 610 Office, whose mission is to "eradicate" Falun Gong. To date 2792 deaths of Falun Gong practitioners have been confirmed, although the Falun Dafa Information Center claims the true number of deaths is over 10,000, with over 100,000 sentenced to forced labor camps.

Source: http://theepochtimes.com/news/5-12-16/35867.html

 Yearly Archive   Printer Version