July 20, 2004

Budapest, July 20 (MTI) - Several members of the Hungarian Falun Gong Information Centre demonstrated in front of the Chinese Embassy in Budapest to protest the persecution of those exercising the oriental art of meditation and relaxation in China.

Sziliva Akbar, spokesperson of the Hungarian Falun Gong Information Centre's demonstration told MTI that up to 100 million people exercise this oriental art in China. The meditation [practice] has some 50 to 60 followers in Hungary, she added.

Mark Fodor, director of Amnesty International Hungary, said their information indicates that some 700-800 (1) Chinese Falun Gong followers died from torture for exercising this oriental art.

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(1) Note: At this time, the confirmed death toll stands at 1006, although the actual number is believed to be much higher.