US Members of Congress Write to Ambassador of China to Again Express Their Serious Concerns about the Imprisonment of Dr. Charles Lee

On January 27, 2005, US Members of Congress Anna G. Eshoo and Tom Lantos jointly wrote a letter to Mr. Yang Jiechi, the Ambassador of China to the USA, to again express their serious concerns about the imprisonment of Dr. Charles Lee, who was arrested on January 22, 2003 upon arrival in Guangzhou Airport and has already served two years of his three year sentence on charges of sabotage. In light of Dr. Lee's heart condition and physical and mental abuses, the Members of Congress requested that he be released immediately.

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

January 27, 2005

Dear Ambassador Yang,

We're writing to again express our serious concerns about the imprisonment of Dr. Charles Lee, an American citizen. Dr. Lee was arrested on January 22, 2003 upon arrival in Guangzhou Airport and has already served two years of his three year sentence on charges of sabotage.

Since his incarceration, Dr. Lee has reported to U.S. officials that he's been physically and mentally abused. The reports are extremely disturbing, as are associated reports detailing the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by Chinese authorities. We now understand that Dr. Lee has developed a heart condition in prison and is being monitored by prison doctors and U.S. Consular officials.

In light of Dr. Lee's failing health, and the long period of time he has already served, we are requesting that he be released from the final year of his sentence by granting him a medical parole.

We urge you to do everything possible to ensure Dr. Lee's safety and secure his immediate release.

Anna G. Eshoo
Member of Congress

Tom Lantos
Member of Congress