NEW YORK - The U.S. attorney’s office in New York has accepted a criminal complaint against Bo Xilai, the current Minister of Commerce of China.
The lawsuit alleges that Bo is responsible for crimes of torture committed against Falun Gong practitioners during 2001-2004, when he was governor of Liaoning Province in China. The complaint says that Bo “planned, instigated, ordered, authorized, or incited police and other security forces to commit the abuses.”
Said attorney Terri Marsh, “Bo Xilai is criminally responsible for all these deeds carried out by those under his authority in Liaoning Province.” Liaoning is in northeastern China, where cases of harassment, torture, and killing of Falun Gong practitioners have been most harsh and numerous.
The complaint asks the U.S. attorney’s office to issue a warrant for Bo’s arrest if he were to enter its jurisdiction.
Bo was originally listed among officials accompanying Chinese president Hu Jintao on his visit to North America this month, but he appears not to have actually made the trip (see “Minister of Commerce Dropped from Chinese President’s Visit to Canada”). Bo was served with a civil suit during a previous visit to the U.S. in April 2004.
Terri Marsh, executive director of Human Rights Law Project, and Lana Han, executive director of International Advocates for Justice, filed the suit.
“This lawsuit sends a strong message to whoever is engaged in torture, whoever persecutes Falun Gong,” said Ms. Han.
“We are doing everything possible to have the justice system put them on trial for their crimes.”
To read the entire complaint, please visit the Justice for Falun Gong website.
Friends Read Free