U.S. Newswire, Washington DC: Attorney General Asked to Investigate Massive Harassment Calls

3/2/2005 4:47:00 PM

WASHINGTON, March 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- On Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 a legal representative for Falun Gong practitioners sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, requesting that he initiate an investigation of a massive telephone harassment campaign against Falun Gong practitioners in the United States and worldwide that occurred between Feb. 6 and 8, 2005, and again on Feb. 23 and 24, 2005, despite victims' reports to local law enforcement agencies, the FBI, and Congress.

The letter was prepared by Martin F. McMahon, attorney for several Falun Gong litigants who had filed a complaint in 2002 against various Ministries of the People's Republic of China for more than 60 specific criminal acts that were performed on U.S. soil that include harassment, threats, and physical assault against practitioners. Mr. McMahon will be sending letters with the same information to the chief prosecutors in the eight states where the victims were.

Since Feb. 6, hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners in America and in over 20 countries throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia have received repeated phone calls with pre-recorded messages disparaging Falun Gong. Some victims have received more than 20 phone calls, not only on publicly known phone numbers but also on their cellular phones and on other private numbers. The calls, at least some of which originated in China, were consistent with the pattern of intimidation and harassment set forth in the lawsuit.

In October 2004, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 304, which instructs the Attorney General to, "investigate reports that Chinese consular officials in the United States have committed illegal acts while attempting to intimidate or inappropriately influence Falun Gong practitioners or local elected officials, and, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determine an appropriate legal response." Thus, it is the will of the House to look to the U.S. Attorney General of the United States and the State Department for their active intervention in this affair.

For more information visit http://www.faluninfo.net

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