Home > News Archive > Internet poster threatens life of Dalai Lama

Internet poster threatens life of Dalai Lama

CTV

The Dalai Lama waves while stepping out of a vehicle in Memphis, US, on Tuesday, 22 September 2009. AP/The Commercial Appeal/Karen Pulfer Focht/US

Authorities are on alert after an Internet poster called for the death of the Dalai Lama, days before the spiritual leader is due to visit Vancouver.

The threat showed up on a Vancouver Internet chat site and was first reported in a Chinese-language newspaper.

“Is there anyone willing to risk death to dedicate themselves/repay their country and assassinate Dalai,” the posting reads. “I’ll pay money. If can’t assassinate throwing a shoe is okay too.”

The site has since been taken down. The poster has not been identified.

RCMP officials say the Dalai Lama will be afforded the highest security, though they won’t discuss specifics.

“We are aware of the threat, but as you can appreciate we don’t discuss threats made against individuals and how we react to them,” said RCMP Sgt. Greg Cox.

Andre Gerolymatos, a security expert, said he expects there will be a highly visible police presence around the Dalai Lama.

“And you won’t notice the undercover officers who will be milling with the crowd,” he said.

Gerolymatos said Internet postings can spur people into action.

“The threat, I think, is quite real and quite substantial,” he said.

The Dalai Lama is one of six Nobel laureates scheduled to attend a peace summit at UBC’s Chan Centre on Sunday. Other attendees are Mairead Maguire, Betty Williams, Jody Williams and Murray Gell-Mann. Archbishop Desmond Tutu had originally planned to attend the summit, but because of a recent back injury, he dropped out from attending. Tutu’s daughter, the Rev. Mpho Tutu, will accept the award on his behalf.

The event has been sold out.

The Dalai Lama is a noted speaker and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. But the exiled leader of the Tibetan Buddhists also has enemies.

He says the Chinese government is working to crush the Tibetan culture. China claims Tibet has always been part of its territory.

Copyright © 2009 CTV Globe Media

Published in CTV