Li Chang, Wang Zhiwen, Li Liewu and Yao Jie were arrested on October 19 for `violating various articles of China's criminal laws' and charged under the new law by Beijing's public security bureau, official Xinhua news agency said. Li, Wang and Yao were charged with illegally obtaining and leaking state secrets, as authorities showed no let-up in the crackdown on the sect.

Ji and Yao were also charged with running illegal businesses.Defending the crackdown, foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said `being merciful to an evil cult means trampling on the human rights of all citizens.'

As the leaders prepared to go on trial, ordinary members of the sect, founded by a former Chinese government clerk, Li Hongzhi, defended their faith - a mixture of Buddhist and Taoist principles, Chinesebreathing exercises and meditation.

Falun Gong members denied that the group is a cult. The sect has some 70 million followers in mainland China and another 100 million world-wide. The crackdown in May followed a peaceful protest in Tiananmen Square demanding official recognition and end to harassment.