08/21/2002
Hong Kong authorities are moving to arrest Falun Gong members who have refused to pay fines imposed last week after being convicted of offences including obstruction.
A government spokeswoman last night said a warrant would be issued in "a number of days" in accordance with the Magistrates' Ordinance, but she refused to be more specific.
Magistrate Symon Wong Yu-wing on Monday refused a request on behalf of the members that the fines of between $1,300 and $3,800 be deferred until an appeal was heard. Those convicted face between seven and 14 days' jail if they fail to pay the fines, which were due by Monday.
A Falun Gong spokeswoman confirmed the fines had not been paid as a matter of principle.
"This is not right and we will wait until the appeal is complete and our names have been restored," she said.
The convictions, relating to an anti-Beijing protest in March, were the first in Hong Kong involving members of the movement, banned on the mainland in 1999.
The convicted members - 11 Hong Kong residents, four Swiss nationals and one New Zealander - denied the charges. [..]
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