Falun Gong practitioner Lin Shenli was released on January 23 after serving two years in a penitentiary for labor education and rehabilitation.

The penitentiary staff said: "Although Lin Shenli did not give up his belief in Falun Gong and did not admit any fault during his detention, he received good care. The rumor overseas that Lin was persecuted by the Chinese government is nothing but fabrications."

Lin, 48, lived in Shanghai before being sentenced to 18 months for reeducation through labor on January 23, 2000 for taking part in illegal Falun Gong activities. When more illegal activities came to light, his original period for reeducation through labor was increased to two years.

Liu Xiang, a former Falun Gong practitioner who was with Lin for six months during his detention, said that although Lin did not agree that Falun Gong is a cult, the penitentiary staff still looked after him well and gave him "parent-like care and reasonable persuasion."

He said that staff also tried hard to get kung fu novels for Lin Shenli.

Xie Shisuo, another former Falun Gong practitioner who was with Lin from April, 2001 to January, 2002, said that no verbal or physical violence took place in the penitentiary.

Lin appealed to the Shanghai Municipal Government against the length of his detention but was turned down.

The Chinese government arranged exit formalities for Lin after he completed his detention on January 23.