SATURDAY 9.9

Helsingin Sanomat, Finland

Falun Gong most active protester during ASEM

Two women dressed as surgeons dig a red bundle out of the abdomen of a mannequin on an operating table. Next to them a man in a police uniform threatens to beat a handcuffed woman.
    The organ theft and torture performance of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in front of Helsinki's main railway station may have been the most violent sight during Friday's demonstrations linked with the summit of the Europe Asia Meeting (ASEM), which officially begins on Sunday. Friday's demonstrations involved fewer than 100 people, and no disturbances were reported.

On Friday, police had been informed of plans for about 20 demonstrations to be held by Monday evening. About ten of them are being organised by Falun Gong, which will make its presence known on the streets in the coming days. The small but energetic group is holding protests, giving performances, and distributing information.
    According to Hannu J�rvinen, the chairman of the Finnish Falun Gong association, dozens of members of the movement have travelled to Finland from abroad to take part in the events attacking China.
    "I came here to support these events. It is important for people to know about the human rights violations committed by China. The Swiss media does not report on them, because China is economically so important to my country", said Aleardo Manieri from Switzerland.

The Finnish Falun Gong association said that it planned to file a criminal complaint of genocide against China's Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai. The association says that he was responsible for torture and murder while serving as Governor of Liaoning Province.
    Genocide is considered an international crime, and can be prosecuted outside the country where the acts were committed, even if the perpetrator is protected by diplomatic immunity.
    Falun Gong made a similar criminal complaint in 2003 against Luo Gan, a member of the Permanent Committee of the Politbureau of the Chinese Communist Party. At that time, Finnish police began an investigation, but called it off after hearing from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
    The Foreign Ministry felt that Luo Gan's position was similar to that of a visiting head of state, which means that he could not be prosecuted. The chair of the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, Tuija Brax (Green), has criticised the view of the ministry.

Further demonstrations will be held on Saturday in the Kaisaniemi Park, in front of the Chinese Embassy, around the Pasila site of the actual ASEM meeting in the Helsinki Fair Centre, and at the square in front of the Kamppi Center shopping mall.
    There is also an anarchist and anti-globalisation protest - "Smash Asem" - planned in the city centre. A heavy police presence is anticipated to ward off possible troublemakers.