Swedish rights activist 'confesses' on Chinese state television

A detained Swedish rights activist has appeared on Chinese state television apparently confessing to breaking the law through his group's activities.

Peter Dahlin has been held since early January amid a crackdown on human rights lawyers and activists.

State media said his organisation had received foreign funding to "instigate confrontations" and gather information to produce "distorted" reports.

The rights group has condemned and denied the government's allegations.

Chinese Urgent Action Working Group (China Action) called the report "absurd" and said the confession appeared to be forced.

China Action, founded by Dahlin, provides direct legal aid to people alleging human rights violations, and assistance to uncertified lawyers to provide legal aid in rural areas.

State media broadcast Dahlin's statement in a TV report on Tuesday night, which included the apparent confessions of two Chinese members of the group.

The Xinhua news agency also published a report online saying police had broken up an "illegal organization jeopardizing China's national security".