Taipei - Some 100 Taiwan-based Tibetans and supporters on Wednesday demanded Japan release a Tibetan man with Taiwan citizenship who was arrested while trying to disrupt the Olympic torch relay in Japan over the weekend.

Shouting "Free Tibet" and "Free Tashi," the protestors gathered in front of Japan's representative office in Taipei to demand Japanese police release Tashi Tsering.

The letter said that of the six protestors, three - including one who had thrown eggs at the torch bearer - have been released, but Tashi's 48-hour detention incommunicado has been extended to a 10-day custody.

"Japan is not an authoritarian state, rather, it is a democratic country where people enjoy the freedom of speech. Hence, anyone's right to freely express his or her opinion should be respected. What Tashi Tsering did was peaceful and non-violent. He was merely approaching the torch and shouted "Free Tibet!" He did not threaten the Olympic torch with force," the letter said.

"We suspect the Japanese government may be facing political pressure from China, as the prolonged detention of Tashi Tsering is unusual. In other similar cases, a person in custody is usually released after the 48-hour detention period. We urge the Japanese government to stand firm behind human rights values, and not to bow to political pressure from China," it added.

Tashi Tsering, 38, a Tibetan refugee, came to study in Taiwan from India in the 1980s and has obtained Taiwan citizenship.

He runs a Tibetan antique shop in Taipei and sometimes organizes anti-China protests as the vice chairman of the Taiwan branch of the Tibetan Youth Congress, the India-based group fighting for Tibetan independence.

On April 26, Tashi tried to snatch the Olympic torch from the torch bearer in Nagano, Japan, but was overpowered and arrested by police.

He is being detained at Nagano's central police station on charges of obstructing police.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said it will provide legal assistant to Tashi and seek his release. (dpa)