03/20/2002

The Falun Gong spiritual movement has called on the government to drop charges against 16 practitioners arrested last week for alleged obstruction during a protest outside Beijing's liaison office here. The group's call came in a letter to the secretary for justice. The group also lodged a complaint with legislators, alleging that the police used excessive force.

The 16 practitioners, including four Swiss nationals, are due to make a second court appearance on Friday [22 March].