Officials expressed deep concern and sadness over the Moscow police raid and the persecution of Falun Gong globally. Russia’s detention of a Falun Gong practitioner has raised alarm in Washington, with the State Department and lawmakers condemning the move. The practitioner, Natalya Minenkova, is being held until June 27 under a controversial law, sparking worries about religious freedom violations. The State Department spokesperson emphasized the importance of upholding human rights and releasing individuals detained for their beliefs. The close ties between Russia and China have drawn criticism, with concerns about their opposition to U.S. foreign policy objectives. Lawmakers and former officials have called for the international community to denounce religious persecution and support victims of such abuses. Former U.S. ambassador Sam Brownback highlighted the need to stop the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by authoritarian regimes.
Subsequent Russia state media reports largely parroted Chinese disinformation vilifying Falun Gong.
Russia state media reports largely parroted Chinese disinformation vilifying Falun Gong.
It paints a “disconcerting picture” of just how far Russia might go “to be aligned with communist China,” Levi Browde, executive director of the Falun Dafa Information Center, told NTD.
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) was among several other lawmakers who voiced support for the faith group amid the climate in Russia.
“The CCP has already demonized and isolated those who practice Falun Gong, when they know it is simply a peaceful meditation group. It isn’t surprising that Russia is following suit in persecuting Ms. Minenkova,” he told The Epoch Times.
“I hope that those who practice Falun Gong across the world stand strong and are not shamed for practicing what they believe in.”
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) said the reports of Falun Gong practitioners’ detention had him “deeply concerned.” He told The Epoch Times that he will speak out “unwaveringly against the restriction of human rights and the persecution of religious groups, wherever they occur.”
Rep. André Carson (D-Ind.), a member of the Select Committee on CCP, condemned what he described as “targeted acts of harassment by authoritarian governments.”
“Government persecution and harassment against religious minorities is never acceptable,” he told The Epoch Times.
A Troubling Prosecution
Russia currying favor with communist China may be a huge mistake, said Mr. Browde.
“They’re coupling themselves with a regime that by a lot of markers is really on its last legs. A partnership with communist China really doesn’t make sense for any country, including Russia,” he said.
While many in the West see both Russia and China as bad actors, in terms of tyranny against its own people and malign influence inside the United States, he said, the Chinese regime is “way above anybody else,” which makes the Kremlin’s latest move a “very troubling step.”
Multiple friends of Ms. Minenkova described her as friendly, smiling, and kind. The 46-year-old quit drinking and smoking after she took up the practice in 2010.
Her friend Anna Chlebnickova, now a foreign language instructor in Germany, shares a similar journey of overcoming drug addiction through her faith 11 years ago.
“She didn’t do anything wrong,” she told The Epoch Times’ sister media NTD. “She’s trying to live a healthy life and she’s trying to be a good person.
“Falun Gong is based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance—why fight with just good people?”
To people in Russia, the prosecution of Ms. Minenkova sends a chilling message, Ms. Chlebnickova said.
“You never know what can happen, who might become undesirable.”
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