Li Hongzhi, leader of the illegal Falun Gong cult, called himself a saint and asked others to follow his "mystical powers". But even some of his staunchest believers have begun to discredit him.

Jiao Lixun, former head of the general station of Falun Gong in Jilin Province, northeast China, said that to define Falun Gong as a heretical cult has accurately exposed its evil nature as well as Li Hongzhi's true face as an anti-government cult leader.

Li, a native of Changchun, capital city of Jilin, had used natural phenomena to show his "mystical powers", Jiao said.

In 1997, when a comet hit Jupiter, Li Hongzhi told his local followers that the comet was supposed to have hit Earth and his " mystical powers" had diverted the comet, according to Jiao. Li said only by following him in practicing Falun Gong could man be saved from natural disasters.

Jiao said that Li asked his followers to obey him and brainwashed them with his video-taped speeches and books, while collecting money by selling these things and giving lectures.