06/18/2003

HONG KONG, June 18 (Reuters) - Myanmar has released a Hong Kong follower of the Falun Gong spiritual movement it had jailed under pressure from China which bans the group, Hong Kong adherents of the movement said on Wednesday.

Chan Wing-yuen, 71, was escorted to Hong Kong by Myanmar secret agents on June 9, Hong Kong members said in a statement. He had spent a year and a half in prison, far short of his seven-year sentence.

"It is believed that the release is owing to a global effort in rescue from Falun Gong practitioners, also support and assistance from many governments and NGOs (non-government organisations) who care about human rights and freedom," the statement said.

Chan was arrested in December 2001 after unfurling a banner protesting against the Falun Gong crackdown by then Chinese president Jiang Zemin who was visiting Myanmar. Chan had gone to see relatives there.

In January 2002, Chang was jailed for seven years for attempting to subvert Myanmar. He called the charge groundless.

Falun Gong practitioners from different parts of the world have since written, telephoned and faxed messages to the Myanmar government and to Chinese embassies urging Chan's release.

[Falun Gong is a practice system for both mind and body improvement, consisting of five-sets of gentle exercises and teachings of Master Li. The Jiang regime has persecuted Falun Gong practitioners since 1999.].