China to deport five activists

CNN

BEIJING, China (CNN) — Five activists protesting on behalf of Tibet, including three Americans, were arrested Thursday for what Chinese police called “activities against Chinese law” and will be deported, Beijing police said.

The incident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. in the Chaoyang District in northeastern Beijing near the construction site of new buildings to house CCTV, the state-run television station, police said.

The five, who were part of the group Students for a Free Tibet, hung a pro-Tibetan banner near the buildings, group organizers said in a statement.

The group identified the protesters as Australian-Canadian Nicole Rycroft, 41; Briton Phil Kirk, 24 and Americans Kelly Osborne, 39; Bianca Bockman, 27; and Sam Maron, 22.

Beijing police confirmed in a written statement that they “stopped” the five protesters and planned to deport them.

VIDEO

Activists, journalist detained 2:33
A journalist and pro-Tibet activists were detained during a protest near an Olympic venue. ITN’s John Ray reports.

Source: ITN | Added August 13, 2008