Russian court rules not to expel Falun Gong followers from country

On November 5, 2003, the Preobrazhensky District Court of Moscow held a retrial on the issue of the presence of two Chinese citizens practicing Falun Gong in Russia. On November 6, the court announced its decision: Chinese citizens will not be deported and they will be given the opportunity to apply for refugee status in Russia.

A married couple with a child is unable to return to China because they are followers of Falun Gong, which is being persecuted by the Chinese authorities. At the first court session on October 3, a decision was made to expel Chinese citizens from the country. On October 10, a cassation complaint was filed with the Moscow City Court about the violation of their rights guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, such as the right to life, protection from torture, etc. October 17, 2003 The Moscow City Court overturned the decision of the Preobrazhensky Court and returned the case for a new trial. After a second consideration, the Preobrazhensky Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.

Sources

• Russia confirms the status of a legal and democratic state // Falun Dafa Information Center. 2003. November 7th.