The Republican attorney general of Missouri says Bejing “lied to the world” and is suing for suffering and economic losses

The state of Missouri became the first to sue China over the coronavirus Thursday, followed by Mississippi, alleging the communist country is to blame for the global pandemic. Missouri Attorney General, Eric Schmitt, alleges China arrested whistleblowers, suppressed information and denied the dangers of the virus.

“Covid-19 has done irreparable damage to countries across the globe, causing sickness, death, economic disruption and human suffering. In Missouri, the impact of the virus is very real – thousands have been infected and many have died, families have been separated from dying loved ones, small businesses are shutting their doors and those living paycheck to paycheck are struggling to put food on their table,” Schmitt said in a statement. “The Chinese government lied to the world about the danger and contagious nature of Covid-19, silenced whistleblowers and did little to stop the spread of the disease. They must be held accountable for their actions.”

The lawsuit from Missouri also alleges China hoarded personal protective equipment, destroyed medical research and claims that although China was aware of the virus, people were allowed to leave Wuhan.

China slammed the lawsuit as “very absurd” and denies accusations that officials suppressed information, despite reports that worries over political stability were placed above public health concerns. Medical staff who tried to raise awareness about the outbreak were silenced and Wuhan went several days without reporting cases.

“This so-called lawsuit is very absurd and has no factual and legal basis at all,” said foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang.

It is unclear whether the lawsuit will have any impact. Generally, US law prohibits lawsuits against other countries with few exceptions, said Chimene Keitner, an international law professor at University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

So far, Missouri has just under 6,000 cases and 189 deaths. Mississippi has 4,894 cases and 193 deaths.