News and Views on Tibet

Tibetan monk released after two years of imprisonment

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Choechok (Tibet Express photo)

By Choekyi Lhamo

 

DHARAMSHALA, FEB 10: A Tibetan monk Choechok from the Dza Wonpo Gaden Shedrub Dhargyaling monastery from Kardze has been released after two years of imprisonment on Thursday, reported Tibet Express. A source in exile has confirmed that the former prisoner was released by the Chinese authorities. Choechok was arrested on Dec 25 in 2017.

 

The reasons for his arrest remain unknown but it was noted that he was taken into custody after he posted a picture of a fellow Tibetan who had self-immolated himself two days earlier, on his WeChat handle. Konpe had carried his self-immolation protest against the regime on Dec 23.

 

Since last year, the Chinese government deployed a large number of heavily armed police in Dza Wonpo region and around the villages of Zachuka in traditional province of Kham as there were two similar demonstrations by two different groups in November. Both the protests called for freedom in Tibet.

 

Choechok’s release after two years of imprisonment without any valid charges shows China’s heavy handedness and their lack of respect for the rule of law in the region that has witnessed several accounts of arrests on charges of separatism. Even though the release has been confirmed, his health condition remains unknown.

 

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