The Falungong spiritual group, which is banned in China, says one of its members was severely beaten in a Chinese prison and has died in hospital.
The group says Liu Chengjun, sentenced to 19 years jail last year for his involvement in illegal Falungong television broadcasts, died Friday in Changchun city, Jilin province.
However, Jilin prison and hospital officials say they are unaware of Liu’s existence and denied that any prisoner had recently died from ill treatment.
Frank Lu, director of the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy, said that Liu’s death was being covered up and local officials had been told not to reveal any details surrounding it.
According to Falungong, Liu was repeatedly beaten and tortured during his incarceration.
Posting date: 31/Dec/2003
Original article date: 30/Dec/2003
Category: Media Report
