In a nationwide order to local law-enforcement agencies...

In a nationwide order to local law-enforcement agencies the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate broadly reinterpret murder and subversion statutes for use in prosecution of Falun Gong adherents. According to the lengthy directive, published by the government's Xinhua news agency, practitioners who in any way take part in suicide attempts may be charged with murder, which is usually punishable by death. Laws to prevent subversion, which carry lengthy prison terms, may be used against followers who distribute leaflets deemed antigovernment.