US Government, Lawmakers Condemn Russia’s Detention of Falun Gong Practitioner

Russia’s jailing of a Falun Gong practitioner amid growing ties with the Chinese regime is stirring alarm in Washington, with the State Department and lawmakers condemning the move. A Moscow court on May 4 placed a Falun Gong practitioner in detention for nearly two months on the basis of her faith, the day after police raided homes of five practitioners. Natalya Minenkova is being detained until June 27 under a controversial law against “carrying out the activities of an undesirable organization.” The law has previously been used against journalists and human rights activists. The criminal investigation by Russian authorities against Ms. Minenkova is getting underway as Russia becomes increasingly reliant on Beijing....