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'Britons' held in Beijing protest 'Britons' held in Beijing protest
(about 1 hour later)
The British Embassy in Beijing is probing reports of two Britons being detained in a protest about Tibet.The British Embassy in Beijing is probing reports of two Britons being detained in a protest about Tibet.
The group, Students for a Free Tibet, said four activists from the UK and the US were arrested after unfurling banners close to the Olympic stadium.The group, Students for a Free Tibet, said four activists from the UK and the US were arrested after unfurling banners close to the Olympic stadium.
The UK protesters are Iain Thom and Lucy Fairbrother. The group's website said Mr Thom, 24, is from Edinburgh and Ms Fairbrother, 23, is from Cambridge.The UK protesters are Iain Thom and Lucy Fairbrother. The group's website said Mr Thom, 24, is from Edinburgh and Ms Fairbrother, 23, is from Cambridge.
The protest happened before the Olympic torch's arrival in Tiananmen Square.The protest happened before the Olympic torch's arrival in Tiananmen Square.
'Critical time'
The British Embassy said it was aware of the reports.The British Embassy said it was aware of the reports.
Speaking on a mobile telephone, Mr Thom told ABC News: "I'll probably get detained by the police and then ejected out of the country. Protesters scaled a 120ft (36.5m) lighting pole early in the morning and unfurled banners reading "One World One Dream Free Tibet" and "Tibet will be free".
"But I believe it's not anywhere near the risk or the fear that Tibetans are living under the occupation of the Chinese government." Speaking on a mobile telephone, while suspended from the pole, Mr Thom told BBC News: "I'm here today because I've been a long-term Tibet activist and I feel like now is a really critical time for Tibet.
"The Beijing Games have been used by the Chinese government as a propaganda tool to whitewash their human rights record in Tibet."
We have taken non-violent action at this critical time to draw the world's attention to the crisis gripping Tibet Lhadon Tethong
Students for a Free Tibet
A British Embassy spokesman said: "We are aware of reports of two British nationals being detained."A British Embassy spokesman said: "We are aware of reports of two British nationals being detained."
He went on: "We are in touch with the Chinese authorities and are requesting immediate consular access should this information be correct." "We are in touch with the Chinese authorities and are requesting immediate consular access should this information be correct," he added.
Lhadon Tethong, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet, described the protesters as "brave young activists".
She said: "At this very moment, Tibetans are facing the most severe and violent repression they have seen in decades at the hands of the Chinese government, and we have taken non-violent action at this critical time to draw the world's attention to the crisis gripping Tibet."
Students for a Free Tibet named the American protesters on the website as Phill Bartell, 34, from New Jersey and Tirian Mink, 32, from Portland, Oregon.Students for a Free Tibet named the American protesters on the website as Phill Bartell, 34, from New Jersey and Tirian Mink, 32, from Portland, Oregon.
The Chinese Embassy could not be reached for comment.