A statement from the Australian department of foreign affairs said that Wang was detained by Chinese officials and asked to leave China. Wang says he was arrested during a rehearsal.

According to the Herald, Murphy tried to intervene in the arrest, putting himself between Wang and the arresting officers.

"Graeme Murphy was an absolute hero," Wang said.

Wang was taken back to his hotel room, where his bags were searched. He was put on an airplane to Sydney still dressed in his rehearsal clothes.

According to Kay Rubacek, a Falun Gong spokesperson, the Chinese-born Wang and his wife both follow the spiritual practice, which has been suppressed by the Chinese government. "I believe [the deportation] is a disgrace," Rubacek said. "It just goes to show how widespread this persecution and discrimination is."