Dharamsala, July 16 (IANS): With the European Union condoling the death of Tibetan political prisoner Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche in a Chinese prison, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said he was cremated on Thursday against the wishes of his family.

Rinpoche's followers said they suspected he may have been poisoned by the Chinese authorities, the CTA said, quoting a person who attended the funeral.

Only 32 family members and his disciples were allowed to attend the funeral of the Rinpoche, who died on July 12.

"Following the death in prison of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a prominent Tibetan lama who has been a prisoner since 2002, we express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and supporters," the EU said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The EU had consistently called for his release or adequate medical treatment. We expect the Chinese authorities to investigate and make public the circumstances surrounding his death," the EU added.

The Tibetan administration is based in this northern Indian hill town of Himachal Pradesh.