NEW YORK, July 18 (Falun Dafa Information Center) - Late last night in New York City, Mr. Zhao Zhifei, head of Public Security for Hubei Province in China, was served with a complaint for violation of the Torture Victim Protection Act and the Alien Tort Claims Act. The case was filed last night in the U.S. District Court for the southern district of New York. Among the charges listed in the complaint are:

a. Murder

b. Torture

c. Other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

d. Crimes against humanity

e. False imprisonment.

Mr. Zhao also serves as the second-in-command for the controversial "610" office for Hubei Province -- a special office setup by the central government in China to carry out the crackdown against Falun Gong and other spiritual practices.

Human Rights lawyer, Carey R. D'Avino and representatives of Falun Gong will hold a press conference outside Zhao Zhifei's hotel in Manhattan this afternoon to discuss the details of the case being brought against Mr. Zhao. Further information regarding the alleged crimes will also be made available:

WHERE: Manhattan Plaza Hotel (9^th Ave. Between 16^th & 17^th Street)

WHEN: 5:00 pm, Wednesday, July 18^th

CONTACT: Gail Rachlin, 917-501-4441

ááááááááááááááááá Adam Montanaro, 917-405-4507

áááááááááááááááá Scott Chinn, 347-524-8160