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 04 July 2008 23:32 BST

Human rights protestors disrupt Olympic flame ceremony

Monday, 24 Mar 2008 19:52
Human rights protestors disrupted the flame-lighting ceremony for the Beijing Olympics
Human rights protestors have disrupted the official flame-lighting ceremony for the Beijing Olympics at ancient Olympia in Greece.

A pro-Tibet protestor managed to break through security restrictions to unveil a banner which read "Boycott The Country That Tramples On Human Rights" behind Liu Qi, head of the Beijing Olympic organising committee, who was speaking at the ceremony today.

The demonstrator was quickly removed by police after unsuccessfully trying to grab the microphone while Mr Liu continued his speech. Greek TV also cut away from the scene which was being broadcast worldwide.

Reports suggest that three protestors have been arrested, some of whom may be members of the Reporters Without Borders group, who were demonstrating against China's rule of Tibet.

The incident will be deeply embarrassing for the Greek authorities who had placed over 1,000 police officers around ancient Olympia amid fears of such a protest.

China will also be concerned as worldwide condemnation of their actions in Tibet continues.

Meanwhile the Tibetan government announced today that 130 people have died in recent clashes between Chinese authorities and protestors.

The Olympic flame was eventually lit at the ceremony in Greece and will now journey from Olympia to Beijing, an 85,000 mile trip through 20 countries before the games begin on August 8th.End of story


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