(TibetanReview.net, Apr27, 2014) – A Tibetan comedian in Lithang County of Karze (Chinese: Ganzi) Prefecture, Sichuan Province, jailed in 2012 on a false weapons charge after he planned to release a DVD that criticized Chinese rule in Tibet has been released nine months before the end of his three-year sentence but remains in fragile health, reported Radio Free Asia (Washington) Apr 25. It said Athar, 35, was released on Apr 12.
Many friends, relatives, and supporters were seeking to visit him at his home but the authorities were restricting the number of visitors, the report added.
Athar, who used to run a general store and give satirical performances in Lithang, had remained disappeared after he was taken away by a special team of police in a night raid in early Feb 2012. Finding no incriminating evidences at his home, they slapped a false weapons possession charge on him and got him jailed for three years after beating him severely to make him sign a false confession. His family was never allowed to visit him even after he was sentenced.
Although released, Athar remains under police supervision and is required to report to them every week for one year and three months.