A suit has been filed in a Texas District Court in the US seeking compensatory damages of over $20 trillion US Dollars against China for the “creation and release, accidental or otherwise” of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as a biological weapon in violation of China’s International obligations.
In particular, the plaint alleges that there is sufficient indication that the Coronavirus was released recklessly from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province leading to the “bioweapon” eventually affected the citizens of the United States of America (US).
The plaintiffs argue that in effect, the new Coronavirus is a terrorist-related weapon of mass destruction of population centres.
The lead plaintiffs in the class action suit are Buzz Photos, whose business was affected following the standstill occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic, a a non-profit corporation, Freedom Watch Inc and an individual from Florida, Larry Klazman.
To build their case that the new Coronavirus is a military weapon originating from Wuhan, the plaintiffs point to reports concerning the Chinese Government’s efforts to silence doctors in Wuhan and throughout China from disclosing any information about the new disease initially.
“Those, including doctors and researchers, trying to spread the word in China about the new COVID-19 disease were arrested or ‘disappeared.’”
Plaintiffs
In this regard, the plaintiffs also highlight reports that a prominent Chinese health professional - Major General Chen Wei - attempted to self-inject an untested vaccine, in an alleged attempt to contain the Coronavirus outbreak.
“Indeed, curiously, in the attempt to put the COVID-19 disease "back in the bottle" Major Gen. Chen injected herself and six members of her staff with a potential vaccine which had not yet been tested on animals… Thus, through the use of a possible vaccine on herself, Major Gen. Chen's actions are consistent with desperation and her and her nation’s guilt that the Chinese military and all of the Defendants, acting in concert, jointly and severally as joint tortfeasors, caused this burgeoning national and world catastrophe.”
Plaintiffs
The plaintiffs also refer to reports where the Chinese Government linked efforts to prevent such future threats to strengthening the security of biological laboratories. "China's military and national leadership clearly linked the origins and spread of COVID-19 with safety protocols and containment at China's biomedical microbiology laboratories", the plaint states.
Citing an opinion published by The Hill, the plaintiffs contend that the theory has been endorsed by experts.
“Many reputable people and organizations and experts have thus come to the conclusion that this crisis began when a Chinese biological weapons facility accidentally released the COVID-19 virus into the atmosphere.”
Plaintiffs
It is also added that, “the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology released a new directive titled: “Instructions on strengthening biosecurity management in microbiology labs that handle advanced viruses like the novel coronavirus."
The plaintiffs now cite the following causes of action to sue the Chinese Government for the viral outbreak, i.e:
Aiding and abetting the risk of death or serious bodily injuries to US citizens
Provision of material support to terrorists
Conspiracy to case injuring and even death of US Citizens
Negligence
Wrongful death
Assault and battery
On these grounds, the plaintiffs have sought an award of damages “in excess of $20 trillion U.S. Dollars and such other relief the Court may deem just and proper.”
Source : Bar Bench
Author Credit : Meera Emmanuel
