Police Abuse Alleged in Deaths of 3 in Sect

Two members of the Falun Gong movement outlawed by China died after mistreatment in jail and a third died in police presence, a Hong Kong-based rights group said. Liu Yufeng, 64, was detained July 18, the Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy reported. Liu, who suffered broken ribs and other injuries, died July 23. Another member, Li Faming, 52, was seen falling from his apartment, where police had taken him for a search, the center said. Meanwhile, Zhang Tieyan, 29, died Aug. 11 of respiratory problems caused by her imprisonment in a hot, airless cell in the province of Heilongjiang, the center said.