NEW YORK, May 30 (FDI) -- The deaths of three more Falun Gong practitioners in detention camps in China were recently revealed. Among them were two local government officials. In all three cases the Chinese government did not allow practitioners' family members to see their remains, and claimed that the deaths resulted from suicide or acute diseases.

Mr. Zhijun Lai was the deputy chair of the local People's Congress and deputy town head in Fenggang Town, Dongguan City, Canton Provice. On March 29 last year, he was sent to the Labor Re-education Camp in Sanshui for re-education. Four days later he died. The Camp claimed that he died of diseases and compensated his family with four hundred RMB (about 50 dollars). The news of his death was not disclosed until very recently because of the government's tight control of information.

Mr. Fengnian Zhao, 48 years old, was an administrator in the Bureau of Industry and Business Administration in Sanshili Town, Zhengding County, Shijiazhuan City (Hebei Province). He was missing from the working unit at night on May 5 this year. After his family's investigation, the local police station acknowledged that Zhao had died and been buried, and claimed that Zhao died of suicide.

Ms. Feng Gao was 31 years old, born in Xingsheng Town, Wuchang City, Heilongjiang Province. She was arrested in Heilongjian Province on May 12 this year and then sent to the Labor Re-education Camp in Wanjia. Seven days later her family was informed that she died of a heart failure. Her family members were not allowed to see her remains even after she was cremated.

The Chinese government treats the information about Falun Gong practitioners' detentions as state secrets. Dr. Teng Chunyan, a US permanent resident, was sentenced three years in prison because of her disclosure that some Falun Gong practitioners were detained in mental hospitals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER Contacts: Gail Rachlin 212-501-8080, Adam Montanaro 917-405-4507, or Feng Yuan 917-912-3301. Email: faluninfoctr@nycmail.com, website: http://www.faluninfo.net