About 3,000 Falun Gong members have staged a demonstration in Taiwan's capital against persecution of the group in China.

The protesters linked hands Saturday in Taipei to form what they called a "Great Wall of Justice," holding photos and paintings depicting alleged torture.

Chang Ching-hsi, chairman of the group's Taiwan chapter, said that since Beijing outlawed the Falun Gong in mid-1999, at least 1,247 followers have been tortured to death.

Lawyers for Falun Gong have filed suits in 28 countries against Chinese officials on a variety of charges.

Beijing denies it mistreats Falun Gong members.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.