(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners recently held rallies in front of embassies and consulates to protest the Chinese government's denying Wang Zhiwen, a former well-known coordinator, from traveling abroad to visit his daughter in the U.S.

Wang was formerly an engineer at the Ministry of Railways. He was also one of the main coordinators for the former China Falun Dafa Association (Falun Dafa is also known as Falun Gong). He was arrested in Beijing on July 20, 1999 because he was a coordinator, when Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), initiated the persecution of Falun Gong.

Wang was imprisoned for nearly 15 years, during which time he was tortured by various means. His teeth were all broken down, and his nails were pierced with sharp picks, and he was deprived of sleep for up to seven consecutive days. He was handcuffed and shackled with 50 pound shackles while being locked in a tiny cell alone.

Wang was released from prison in 2014, and has since been under surveillance by local police and government officials. His daughter Danielle Wang, a U.S. Citizen, and son-in-law Jeff Nanarella went to Beijing recently to bring him to the U.S. They helped him get a visa, but the border patrol in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province revoked his passport and blocked his travel abroad as he was leaving China last week.

Rally in Front of The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland

Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in front of The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on August 12, 2016, calling for attention to practitioner Wang Zhiwen.

Falun Gong practitioners in Switzerland expose the plight of practitioner Wang Zhiwen on the square in front of The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on August 12, 2016.

Practitioners raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong in front of the Palace of Nations.

Many passersby sign a petition to express their sympathy and support to Wang Zhiwen.

At the rally, practitioners condemned the CCP's persecution of Wang and other practitioners, and requested that the government reissue Wang’s passport and allow him to travel abroad.

The event caught the attention of many passersby. Over one hundred people signed the petition, expressing their sympathy and support for Wang.

Protest in Front of Chinese Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany

Falun Gong practitioners held a peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany on August 12, 2016. Many Chinese people coming to conduct business at the consulate paused to watch the practice demonstration and protest.

Falun Gong practitioners protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany on August 12, 2016. The left banner reads “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong.” The middle banner reads “Restore Wang Zhiwen’s Freedom.”

A practitioner holds a banner, on right, reading “Restore Wang Zhiwen’s Freedom.”

A practitioner explained Wang's story to a Chinese passerby who was watching the protest. The visitor responded, “The Party is so bad. It can commit any wrongdoing.” He said he knew that Falun Gong was being persecuted before he came to Germany. In front of the consulate, he agreed to quit his membership in the CCP.

A protest was also held in front of the Chinese Embassy in Berlin, and Chinese Consulates in Hamburg and Munich on August 11 and 12.

Protest in Front of China Liaison Office in Hong Kong

Falun Gong practitioners protested the CCP's persecution of Wang Zhiwen in front of the China Liaison Office on the afternoon of August 11, 2016. They condemned the regime's denial of Wang's international travel.

Practitioners protest in front of the China Liaison Office in Hong Kong on August 11, 2016. The large banner on top reads “Falun Dafa is Good.” The banner in the lower middle reads “Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong. Restore Wang Zhiwen’s freedom.”

Protest in Front of Chinese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea

Falun Gong practitioners held a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul at 3:00 p.m. on August 12, 2016, urging the Chinese government to reissue Wang’s passport, and allow him to travel abroad. They also called for bringing Jiang Zemin to justice.

Practitioners hold a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea on August 12, 2016, urging the Chinese government to reissue Wang Zhiwen’s passport.

The international community has condemned the CCP's cancellation of Wang's passport. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom also urged the CCP to reissue a passport to Wang. The protest against the Party's denial of Wang's international travel has quickly spread around the world.

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