1.   The three were detained along with Chinese followers of the China Fangcheng Church, a large Protestant group whose leaders were sent to labor camps last year.

2.   Police have detained thousands of Chinese followers of Falun Gong during protests on Tiananmen Square against the ban, often beating and kicking them.

3.   Authorities have detained thousands of Chinese followers, imprisoning many in labor camps.

4.   China has detained thousands of Chinese followers, imprisoning many in labor camps.

5.   Public protests by Chinese followers have died down, replaced by more clandestine agitation from a small group of believers.

6.   Tiananmen Square protests by Chinese followers have dwindled to almost nil.

7.   But a relentless, often brutal crackdown has scared away or driven underground Chinese followers who once numbered in the millions.

8.   Demonstrations by Chinese followers have tailed off after five people the government claimed were Falungong members set themselves on fire in Tiananman Square a year ago.

9.   Last year it imposed new restrictions, prohibiting foreigners from setting up religious groups or offices in China or recruiting Chinese followers.