Oppressive Olympics: US bloggers and graffiti artist kidnapped by statists and held in Beijing

SIX Americans detained this week will be held for 10 days, say Chinese authorities, who appear to have intensified their efforts to shut down any public demonstrations during the final days of the Olympic Games.

Police also detained eight Chinese would-be protesters, including a 14-year-old girl, as a group gathered to press their case in front of the compound that houses the offices and residences of the country's top leaders.

Since the Games began, no foreigners are known to have been held more than a few hours. Most of about 40 non-Chinese involved in a handful of small protests have been deported.

A short statement faxed by Beijing police to foreign news agencies said six foreigners apprehended for "upsetting public order" would be subject to the 10-day detention.

The Beijing Public Security Bureau confirmed that such a detention order existed, but would not provide any details.

Lhadon Tethong, the executive director of Students for a Free Tibet, said she believed those facing detention were five video bloggers and a graffiti artist, all of whom police detained on Tuesday. "For the Chinese authorities to sentence them at all shows the Government's paranoia and intolerance of even the most peaceful challenges to its control," she said.

The bloggers posted images online from the group's demonstrations in Beijing. Ms Tethong identified them as Brian Conley, Jeffrey Rae, Jeff Goldin, Michael Liss and Tom Grant. The artist is James Powderly, who was preparing to use a laser to project a pro-Tibet message onto a building.

The US embassy said it was seeking further information.

A Hong Kong businessman, Wang Wenjin, and seven others are being held after pressing for a meeting with the Premier, Wen Jiabao, and the Vice-President, Xi Jinping.

LNK

Oppressive Olympics: US bloggers and graffiti artist kidnapped by statists and held in Beijing

Oppressive Olympics: US bloggers and graffiti artist kidnapped by statists and held in Beijing

Anarcho-Capitalist Categorical Imperatives

AnCaps On Rights, Individualism & Lifestyles