United States: San Francisco - Practitioners Hold Press Conference Regarding Two Chinese Officials Found Guilty by US Court of Crimes Against Humanity

At 1:30 p.m. on July 2, 2003, Falun Gong practitioners and an attorney from the CJA (Centre for Justice & Accountability) held a press conference in front of the Federal District Court of the Northern San Francisco. The press conference announced that San Francisco Judge Edward M. Chen recently denied foreign sovereign immunity to former Beijing Mayor, Beijing Party Secretary Liu Qi and Deputy Governor of Liaoning Province Xia Deren. In a report Judge Chen submitted to the court, both Chinese officials were found guilty of overseeing the torture of Falun Gong practitioners. The press conference also informed the media of the lawsuit underway against former Chinese leader Jiang for genocide and crimes against humanity.

Chairman of Civil Litigation of CJA, attorney Mr. Joshua Sondheimer	One of plaintiffs

A practitioner speaks

Liu Qi was sued for crimes, including persecution, brutal torture, inhumane behaviour and mistreatment, illegal detention, anti-humanity and deprivation of freedom of religion and belief.

Chairman of Civil Litigation of the CJA, attorney Joshua Sondheimer said at the press conference, "San Francisco Judge Edward M. Chen denied immunity to former Beijing Mayor and Beijing Party secretary Liu Qi and Deputy Governor of Liaoning Province Xia Deren, and made certain that they indeed participated and directed the police to persecute Falun Gong practitioners. They are guilty."

Mr. Sondheimer pointed out that Liu Qi was sued by Falun Gong practitioners last year when he flew to Salt Lake City via San Francisco. He could not enjoy immunity because his behaviour has overridden the law. He personally implemented the policy of systematic and brutal persecution. A Chinese legal expert Mr. Robert Berring believed that Liu Qi authorised and connived the abuse and mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners. He has violated the Chinese law.

Mr. Sondheimer said, "As for Xia Deren, he was also found guilty like Liu Qi for overseeing the torture of Falun Gong practitioners. "

Two practitioners from Beijing who had suffered Jiang regime's persecution and just arrived in the US related their personal experiences that former Beijing Mayor Liu Qi should be held accountable for persecuting Falun Gong practitioners in Beijing.

They said, "Because we practised Falun Gong, after July 20, 1999, we were illegally monitored, abducted and detained by Beijing police. Our residence was ransacked, and we suffered severely both physically and mentally. We were deprived of freedom of belief, and our right of livelihood was trampled.

The media including a San Francisco Chinese newspaper, KTSF26 TV Station, KQED TV Station, NTD TV Station and the Epoch Times covered the conference.