SHANGHAI -- Chinese authorities appear to be increasing pressure on the family members of COVID-19 victims in Wuhan, Hubei Province, where the World Health Organization has launched a full-scale investigation into the origins of the coronavirus.
An online chat group used by 100 people related to COVID-19 victims was suddenly shut down in mid-January. It is believed that authorities are wary that claims critical of their response to the pandemic from such people could affect the WHO investigation.
"The investigation team should know the truth," said a man whose father died. "It must not be a sham probe."
The man has called for a meeting to be held with members of the international WHO team.
According to the man, authorities gave the family member of a victim 3,000 yuan (about 50,000 yen) and warned the recipient not to participate in interviews with foreign media.
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