OTTAWA, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Canada said on Wednesday it would probe allegations by followers of the Falun Gong spiritual movement that they had been harassed and threatened by Chinese diplomats in Toronto and other Canadian cities.
The Falun Gong Association of Canada sent a letter to Foreign Minister John Manley and other officials demanding China's consul in Toronto be expelled for allegedly inciting hatred against followers in Canada.
China banned Falun Gong in 1999 on the grounds that it was a dangerous cult.
"The letter contained allegations. It did not contain evidence. We'll follow (it) up, the appropriate authorities will investigate," Manley told reporters in Ottawa.
"Once we can conclude whether Chinese diplomats have in some way breached their obligations in the appropriateness of their behavior here then we can take appropriate actions."
A spokesman at the Chinese embassy said an official statement was being prepared but could not comment further.
In the 29-page letter, the Falun Gong association said Chinese diplomats had made threatening phone calls to its followers in Canada, had sabotaged the group's official website and had convened meetings to condemn the movement.
17:05 02-07-01
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