Eight Americans Jailed in Beijing Prison

August 23, 2008— -- Chinese authorities have sentenced eight Americans to 10 days of administrative detention in Beijing for "disrupting public order," according to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The Americans were all members of groups that support Tibetan independence.

U.S. Ambassador to China Clark Randt, Jr., pressed the Chinese government Saturday to immediately release all eight Americans.

China says the detainees had "disrupted public and social order," which is against Chinese law, and it is "only natural" that they be jailed.

"The protestors were chanting for the independence of Tibet, which has been part of China for centuries," the spokesman said. "There is no doubt that such activities violate Chinese law."

Reporters Without Borders, a free press activist group, said at least two of those detained were bloggers covering the events who were only taking photos, not participating in the protest.

Throughout the Beijing Games there have been numerous protests on behalf of Tibet, but this is the first time American citizens have been detained for longer than one day, according to a U.S. Embassy spokesman in Beijing, who added that Embassy officials have met the detainees Friday and say they are being treated well.

The U.S State Department released a statement encouraging the government of China to "demonstrate respect for human rights including freedom of expression and freedom of religion of all people" during the Olympic Games and beyond.

"These rights are protected by China's own constitution and by international human rights standards to which China has agreed," according to the statement.

Six of the Americans were members of the group Free Tibet Reporters. James Powderly, Brian Conley, Jeffrey Rae, Jeff Goldin, Michael Liss, and Tom Grant were detained August 19th, according to the U.S. Embassy spokesman in Beijing.

On August 21st, two more American were detained, both of them members of Students for a Free Tibet. Jeremy Wells and John Watterberg were detained for hanging a banner near an Olympic venue.