BEIJING, Mar 2, 2001 -- (Reuters) China has jailed 37 Falun Gong followers for up to 10 years for disseminating statements downloaded from the spiritual group's Websites, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Friday.

Courts in several districts of Beijing handed down sentences of between three and 10 years on Thursday to 37 defendants who printed and distributed fliers from the banned [group], the state newspaper said.

Most were convicted of "using a [Chinese government's slanderous word] to obstruct the law" for spreading Falun Gong statements opposing the ban China imposed on the group in July 1999, it said.

One follower, Xue Hairong, got seven years in prison for turning his rented home in Beijing into a small printing factory and producing leaflets from Falun Gong websites, it said.

Despite 19 months of an increasingly ruthless campaign to snuff out the Falun Gong and the Communist Party declaring victory several times, the group has continued its protests. ...

FALUN GONG FLIERS

China says Falun Gong is [Chinese government's slanderous word] and has detained thousands of followers in a harsh crackdown.

Falun Gong recently blanketed mailboxes in Beijing back streets with fliers criticizing the government for neglecting poverty and unemployment. The statements also disputed Beijing's account of self-immolations on Tiananmen Square on January 23. ... Falun Gong, which is based on elements of ... traditional Chinese meditation and exercises, has denied the five self-immolators belonged to the movement. Group spokespeople say its teachings forbid the taking of life. ...

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