The controversial German anatomist Gunther von Hagens...

The controversial German anatomist Gunther von Hagens used the corpses of executed Chinese prisoners to create his exhibitions of synthetically preserved human bodies, German news magazine Der Spiegel reported. According to Der Spiegel, a centre operated by Von Hagens' company in the Chinese coastal city of Dalian held a stock of 647 preserved bodies in November 2003, which were destined to be either exhibited or sold to universities. The report said a number of bodies were procured from two nearby prisons, including one housing political prisoners, and that a number were purchased rather than donated. Der Spiegel cited the case of a young woman and young man, whose bodies were delivered to Von Hagens' centre in December 2001, shortly after they were both executed by a bullet to the head.