Wuhan Institute of Virology sues Sen. Eric Schmitt for $50 billion over COVID-19 origin claims

TLDR:

• Chinese lab at center of COVID origins seeks $50 billion from Sen. Eric Schmitt — double Missouri’s $24 billion judgment against China
• Wuhan demands public apologies in The New York Times, CNN, YouTube and Chinese state media
• Mr. Schmitt calls lawsuit “a badge of honor” and doubles down, saying “China has blood on its hands”
• Missouri won $24 billion judgment earlier this year after Chinese entities failed to mount defense

The Chinese lab blamed for sparking the coronavirus pandemic is striking back with a $50 billion lawsuit against Sen. Eric Schmitt, demanding he pay for damaging Wuhan’s reputation.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology, along with the municipal government and Chinese Academy of Sciences, filed suit against the Missouri Republican after he won a $24 billion judgment against China in U.S. federal court earlier this year.

The Chinese entities claim Mr. Schmitt “belittled” their scientists and damaged their “brand value and academic reputation,” making international cooperation more difficult. They’re seeking 356.437 billion yuan — roughly $50 billion.

Beyond money, Wuhan wants court-ordered public apologies in The New York Times, CNN, YouTube and Chinese outlets People’s Daily and Xinhuanet.

Mr. Schmitt called the lawsuit “a badge of honor” and refused to back down.

“This novel lawsuit is factually baseless, legally meritless,” he said. “This is their way of distracting from what the world already knows, China has blood on its hands.”

More than 7 million global deaths worldwide have been blamed on COVID-19, including over 1.2 million in the U.S.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway called the Chinese lawsuit a stalling tactic to avoid paying the $24 billion judgment. She’s pursuing seizure of Chinese-owned assets in Missouri.

Read more:

• Wuhan’s virus lab files $50 billion lawsuit to silence GOP senator