Reuters: Falun Gong members protest in Hong Kong ahead of verdict

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Falun Gong followers on Monday began a series of protests in Hong Kong to call for an end to Beijing's suppression of the spiritual movement and the preservation of freedoms in the territory.

The demonstrations take place ahead of Thursday's verdict in the case of 16 Falun Gong followers accused of causing a public obstruction outside Beijing's main representative office in Hong Kong while protesting China's crackdown on the movement.

The case, Hong Kong's first trial of Falun Gong followers and also involving Swiss and New Zealand nationals, has raised questions about rights and freedoms in the territory as well as autonomy five years into Chinese rule.

Some of the group also face charges of wilfully obstructing police and assaulting police. All have pleaded not guilty to the various charges and remain free on bail.

The protesters said in a statement the demonstrations were "to protest against the (Chinese President) Jiang Zemin regime' exporting its persecution of Falun Gong to Hong Kong, which will put Hong Kong's separate system and her rule of law and human rights in jeopardy".

A score of Falun Gong practitioners were marching on Monday from Tsuen Wan in suburban Hong Kong to Chater Garden in the city's financial heart.

A second group comprising 15 of the 16 defendants in the case began a hunger strike on Monday scheduled to last till Wednesday evening.

A third group of followers plan another march on Tuesday.

The defendants in the court case include four Swiss nationals, a New Zealander as well as 11 Hong Kong residents. Two of the latter are also U.S. residents. [..]