March 8, 2002

AFP - Chinese President Jiang Zemin has ordered his nation's security services to shoot members of the banned Falungong spiritual group caught hanging banners and posting signs on behalf of the organisation, a spokesman for the group said.

"Recently, Jiang Zemin issued orders that if the Falungong practitioners are posting flyers or signs, they (the security services) can shoot," Erping Zhang told reporters at a gathering here in front of the Chinese consulate protesting the move.

"This has happened already," he said. "Three or four people were shot in the legs while hanging signs in Liaoning and Jilin provinces. They are being treated in the hospital."

"Now, each province is preparing a list of people to be prosecuted on capital punishment charges," Zhang added.

About 80 Falungong practitioners congregated in front of the Chinese consulate on 42nd Street, some holding banners reading "Stop Persecuting the Falungong" and "Falun Dafa."

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