China jails U.S.-based Falun Gong follower

Teng Chunyan, 37, a New York acupuncturist who has lived in the United States for eight years and is married to a U.S. citizen, was convicted on November 23 of "illegally providing intelligence to overseas organisations", the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said.

She was arrested in May for collecting information on some 50 Falun Gong followers held in psychiatric units, the centre said. Most people convicted of such crimes receive a 10-year sentence, suggesting senior officials may have decided it, rather than the court, it said. Teng had been missing in China from March until October, when her family were told she would face trial, the centre said.

She had not decided if she would appeal against the sentence, it said. Embassy officials said they were aware of Teng's case but unable to say what representations, if any, they would make to the Chinese government. "We are aware of the sentencing... and that she is a Falun Gong practitioner with a (U.S.) green card", an embassy official said.

(la/dpa)