(TibetanReview.net, Jan 21) – The Intermediate People’s Court of Ganzi (Tibetan: Karze) Prefecture in Sichuan Province had sentenced four young Tibetans – three women (two of them nuns) and a monk – to jail terms of up to four years, reported Dharamsala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy Jan 20. The centre did not know the exact dates and charges against the women. It also said a young man from Karze living in Lhasa was reported missing since the Mar’08 protests there.
Nuns Tashi Tso, 26, and Dhungtso, around 20, belonged to Karze Ghema Draggo Nunnery. The two were held after they staged a protest in Karze County on Jan 18,2008, and were sentenced to two and two-and-half-year jail terms, respectively. Despite heavy security at the nunnery, the two managed to leave it to hold the protest by showing to the security people medical checkup notes they have obtained earlier.
Also, Jampa Dickyi, 20, of Jokhangnang Village in Thingka Township of Karze County was given two years for staking a protest in the county on May 31, 2008.
The report said all three were taken to the provincial capital Chengdu to serve their sentences.
The monk, named as Yeshi Dorjee, 32, was sentenced on Nov 17, 2008 to a four-year jail term. He belonged to Kharnang Monastery in Karze County and was held for demonstrating and distributing leaflets on Jun 12, 2008 in the county.
Also, a man named Yigha, 27, belonging to Rongtsa Township in Karze County has been reported missing from his residence in the Karma Kusang area of Lhasa since Mar 14, 2008. His mother, Tsering Khando, has not been able to trace him so far, the centre said.