SHANGHAI—China’s financial hub of Shanghai has sent notices to dissidents, petitioners and other “controlled” people banning them leaving the city during the Olympics to ensure security, a rights group said on Tuesday. They are also not allowed to give their political opinions to the foreign media, leave the country or store weapons or explosives at home, the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said in a statement.
A Shanghai police spokeswoman said she could not immediately comment, but added she was unaware of the existence of such a notice.
“In order to strengthen public order during the Olympics and ensure the Games go smoothly, these are the rules important controlled people in our area must follow from April 1 to Oct. 31,” according to a copy of the statement provided by the center.
“Do not pick quarrels in public places”, “Do not express any political opinion to foreign reporters” and “Do not distort the truth, intentionally spread rumours or use other methods to whip up and disturb social order”, the rules state.
Those who break the rules would be warned, detained or prosecuted, depending on the severity of the charge, it adds.
The center said the notice had also been sent to members of the banned spiritual practice Falun Gong and members of underground religious groups.
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