Background
Lobsang Dhondup and Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche had been arrested on 7 April 2002 following a 3 April bombing incident in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. According to official reports, "separatist" leaflets calling for the independence of Tibet from China were found at the scene of the blast.
On 2 December, the Kardze (Ganzi) Intermediate People’s Court in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province sentenced Lobsang Dhondup to death for "inciting separatism", "causing explosions" and "illegal possession of guns and ammunition". Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche received a death sentence with a two year suspension for "causing explosions" and "inciting separatism". According to official sources, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche appealed against the sentence, but Lobsang Dhondup did not appeal.
Four monks were reportedly arrested along with Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche on 7 April 2002 at Jamyang Choekhorling monastery, Nyagchukha county (in Chinese: Yajiang county), Sichuan province. One has since been released, but the four others, Tsultrim Dargye, Tamdring Tsering and Ashar (or Aka) Dhargye may remain in detention. It is not known whether they have been charged or sentenced. Tamdring Tsering was allegedly severely beaten by police on arrest.
Choetsom and Pasang are also thought to be monks at Jamyang Choekhorling monastery. They reportedly went missing on 8 April 2002 after being interrogated and beaten by the police during the raid on the monastery the day before. They have not been seen since. It is unclear whether they are in hiding or in police custody.
Lobsang Dhondup and Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche had been arrested on 7 April 2002 following a 3 April bombing incident in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. According to official reports, "separatist" leaflets calling for the independence of Tibet from China were found at the scene of the blast.
On 2 December, the Kardze (Ganzi) Intermediate People’s Court in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province sentenced Lobsang Dhondup to death for "inciting separatism", "causing explosions" and "illegal possession of guns and ammunition". Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche received a death sentence with a two year suspension for "causing explosions" and "inciting separatism". According to official sources, Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche appealed against the sentence, but Lobsang Dhondup did not appeal.
Four monks were reportedly arrested along with Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche on 7 April 2002 at Jamyang Choekhorling monastery, Nyagchukha county (in Chinese: Yajiang county), Sichuan province. One has since been released, but the four others, Tsultrim Dargye, Tamdring Tsering and Ashar (or Aka) Dhargye may remain in detention. It is not known whether they have been charged or sentenced. Tamdring Tsering was allegedly severely beaten by police on arrest.
Choetsom and Pasang are also thought to be monks at Jamyang Choekhorling monastery. They reportedly went missing on 8 April 2002 after being interrogated and beaten by the police during the raid on the monastery the day before. They have not been seen since. It is unclear whether they are in hiding or in police custody.