Post by : Shakul

CANBERRA  A security incident at the official residence of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, The Lodge, on 25 February 2026 was triggered by an email bomb threat linked to the Shen Yun Chinese dance troupe, which is associated with the Falun Gong spiritual movement.

The Prime Minister was evacuated as a precaution after the threat claimed that large quantities of nitroglycerin explosives had been placed in the residence. Police conducted a search and reported finding nothing suspicious, confirming that there was no danger to the public.

Lucy Zhao, president of the Falun Dafa Association of Australia and host of the Shen Yun group, said the threat was taken seriously and referred the matter to national security agencies, including the police. She suggested that the threat was part of China’s efforts to block Shen Yun performances internationally, noting the troupe’s political and spiritual connections to Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, banned in China since 1999 as an “evil cult,” has nearly 100 million followers globally and continues to perform abroad despite persecution. Shen Yun’s international shows have generated millions in revenue, serving as a cultural outreach of Falun Gong. Chinese officials claimed Shen Yun is a political tool rather than a normal cultural performance.

The incident highlights the ongoing tension between Falun Gong’s international presence and attempts to suppress it, while Australian authorities emphasized that the threat did not endanger public safety.

#world news #Malaysia #Global