2001-11-24

China Section Australia (MELBOURNE)

áá A Melbourne man who took part in a Falun Gong protest in Beijing's Tienanmen square on Tuesday has accused Chinese police of breaking his finger.

áá CHRIS COMINOS, now visiting relatives in Athens, says the hairline fracture happened as he tried to resist being pulled into a police van.

áá He says he has scrapes and bruises all over.

áá Mr COMINOS was one of four Australians expelled by the Chinese government for staging the protest.

áá Falun Gong has been illegal in China since 1999.

áá He says he was held overnight in an underground cell with the three other Australians before being taken to his scheduled flight to Athens.

áá The other three Australians, 21-year-old KATE DOUGLAS from Melbourne and 50-year-old MYRNA MACK and KAY BELONOGOFF, aged 22, both from Sydney, have all arrived home.

áá The protest in the square was staged by 35 Falun Gong members from 12 countries.