A bomb threat email targeting a Chinese dance troupe led to the evacuation of the Australian prime minister’s residence, with hosts alleging political intimidation.
SYDNEY: A bomb threat emailed to an anti-Beijing dance troupe prompted the evacuation of the Australian prime minister’s official residence this week.
The prime minister’s office confirmed Anthony Albanese was forced to leave The Lodge in Canberra on Tuesday due to an unspecified security incident.
Police later stated their search found nothing suspicious and declared no ongoing public threat.
Lucy Zhao, president of the Falun Dafa Association of Australia which hosts the Shen Yun dance group, said her organisation reported the threat to national security agencies.
“We have to take it seriously,” Zhao told AFP.
The Chinese-language email was sent two days prior, demanding the cancellation of a performance by the New York-based group.
It claimed “large quantities of nitroglycerin explosives” had been placed at the prime minister’s residence.
“If the Shen Yun performance proceeds anyway, the prime minister’s residence will be blown into bloody ruins,” the email warned.
Zhao accused the Chinese Communist Party of attempting to stop Shen Yun performances internationally through threats.
China banned Falun Gong, labelling it an “evil cult”, in 1999 after a large peaceful demonstration by members.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said they were unaware of the incident’s specifics.
“China has always opposed various acts of violence,” the spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson added that Shen Yun performances are a political tool used to spread cult information.
Falun Gong claims nearly 100 million followers and faces persistent persecution in China according to a European Parliament resolution.
Despite the ban, Shen Yun performances generated global revenues of USD 46 million in 2022 alone.
