PRESS RELEASE: Austrian Falun Gong Practitioner Arrested in China

Falun Dafa Information Center Austria May 13, 2002 – Alexander Hamrle, Austrian citizen and Falun Gong practitioner was arrested today in Changchun, China. He had planned to tell the Changchun citizenry today, the 10th anniversary of Falun Gong, that Falun Gong is good and that the persecution is unjust. Changchun is the very city where Falun Gong was first brought to the public in 1992. He had compiled his personal story and his opinion in an open letter and wanted to deliver that letter to the citizens of Changchun.

When he did not make contact at a prearranged time, a friend called him on his cell phone. All Alexander could quickly say was that he had been taken to a police station. Then the connection was broken off. Since then he has been out of contact and we don’t know his whereabouts.

In his letter he wrote: “It has been a little over a year since I had obtained Falun Gong here in Austria. The principles of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance have deeply touched me and I have decided to let them guide my life. Soon after, I became aware of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. I was very surprised. Why would China persecute those who want to be good? Why am I turning to you today with this matter? The principles of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance weigh heavy on my heart. As soon as we commit ourselves to orient our lives according to them, our lives will turn for the better, take a turn and become harmonious and beautiful. The principles contain the key for life, a life we wish our children to have and a life we long for. These principles contain any and all virtues.

It is also because of this that I have the highest regard for China with her several thousand-years-old culture in which Falun Gong is rooted. Perhaps this event today can become an impetus for you to discover the deeply rooted principles of Falun Gong.”

We are quite concerned about Alexander Hamrle’s safety and demand of the Chinese government to release him immediately. We also appeal to the Austrian government and to all people to facilitate his safe return.

Background Information

Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a peaceful meditation practice, originating in China and by now being practiced in over 50 countries around the world. Besides the physical exercises, the system places great emphasis on the principles of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance, principles rooted in thousands of years of Chinese culture. Since the beginning of the persecution of Falun Gong in China in 1999, at least 410 verifiable deaths of practitioners in China have occurred. Inside government informants place this figure much higher – more than 1,600. Over 100,000 practitioners were sent to Forced Labor Camps without benefit of any due legal procedures.

(Original text in German)