Supporters of a meditation group banned in China are blaming China's President for the increasing number of their supporters dying in Chinese jails.
Jiang Zemin ordered the crackdown against Falun Gong two years ago. More than 240 Falun Gong practitioners have died while in police custody in China. In most cases, police list the deaths as suicide or say they are a result of natural causes.
However, human rights groups say there is evidence to suggest Falun Gong detainees have been routinely mistreated and abused.
In the latest case, family members say many of the 15 women who died in a labour camp this week had been tortured to death.
A reporting ban is preventing any independent verification of the official version of events, which says the 15 committed suicide.
Spokeswoman Sophie Xiao says President Jiang Zemin should take responsibility for every death because he issued the order to eradicate the group.
Falun Gong supporters estimate 35 followers have died in custody in the past month.
Friday 6 July, 2001 11:38pm AEST
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation.