December 14, 2004 Tuesday

THIS alarming scene outside the NSW Supreme Court on Friday (right) looked frighteningly real but it was a staged protest against the Chinese Government's alleged torture and murder of Falun Gong followers.

Falun Gong devotees say it is "a form of exercise which improves mind and body".

Protesters wore make-up on Friday to represent the life-threatening injuries inflicted on followers they say have been tortured in China for their beliefs. Some wore horrifying metal head straps to resemble an instrument of torture allegedly used against them.

The protest was to support the case being heard in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday. Artist Zhang Cuiying, 42, of Yagoona, is seeking cash compensation from former Chinese president Jiang Zemin and his "610 Office", alleging they were responsible for her torture at a Chinese detention centre.

Mr Zemin was not present or represented in the court on Friday.

Ms Zhang, an Australian citizen, alleges she was arrested in China in March 2000 for speaking out against Mr Zemin's alleged persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and spent eight months in prison before the Australian Government intervened and had her freed.

The civil action against Mr Zemin and his office was filed in the NSW Supreme Court on September 15 and on Friday was stood over until February 28 to allow Ms Zhang's lawyer Shanny Su to seek further advice.

Ms Su told the court the action had been served on the defendants but Mr Zemin had not acknowledged or accepted the service.

The 610 Office or Chinese Falun Gong control office had received and acknowledged the claim, Ms Su said. The 610 Office was also not represented in court on Friday.