Beijing, December 9 – China on Thursday rejected foreign interference in the case of a popular Tibetan monk sentenced to death but declined to confirm whether he was executed on December 2 as scheduled.
“Delek, who undermined the security of society and conducted terrorist bombing activity will be punished in any country… So relevant countries, the US Congress or people concerned should refrain from any moves that may interfere with China’s internal affairs. We are handling the case in accordance with the law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Zhang Qiyue said about Trulku Tenzin Delek, who was sentenced to death for triggering a series of bomb blasts in southwest China’s Sichuan province.
She evaded a question about the actual fate of Delek, 54, who was given the death sentence with a two-year suspension, saying it was “beyond my competency”. “You may refer your question to relevant authorities.”
“China’s judicial and law enforcement departments are handling the case in accordance with law. China is a country ruled by law. So we also handle relevant case in accordance with laws,” Qiyu said.
China says that Delek and his disciple Lobsang Dhondup, 28, were responsible for five bomb blasts from January 2001 to April 2002, which caused one death and injured a dozen people in Chendgu, the capital of Sichuan.
Delek, a popular religious figure from Sichuan Province, was sentenced to death on December 2, 2002, along with Lobsang Dhondup. While Delek was sentenced to death with two years’ suspension and deprivation of political rights for life, Dhondup was given immediate death penalty.
