Dharamsala, Jan. 28 – Three Tibetan monks from Kardze monastery and a nun from Kardze Gaden Choeling nunnery have been sentenced to various prison terms, according to sources with contacts in Kardze.
Lobsang Tenpa, 17, from Kardze Serchuteng Shangbum was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment. Lobsang Choegyen, 18, from Kardze Thingkha Shanglam was sentenced to 5 years. Palden Tsuiltrim from Kardze Serchuteng was sentenced to 4 years in prison. All three were monks of Kardze monastery.
According a source who has contacts in Kardze, the three participated in a protest demonstration in Kardze on May 13, 2008. “They distributed 2 sacks of fliers at the protest site and were arrested soon after. Their whereabouts were unknown for about four months.”
The three are being held at a prison in Monyak near Chengdu, the source said, adding that about 19 Tibetans from Kardze are being held at the same location.
The same source said that Choetso Dolma, a nun of Gaden Choeling nunnery in Kardze, was sentenced to one and a half year in prison and is currently being held at a prison near Chengdu. She was arrested for taking part in a protest demonstration in Kardze on May 14, 2008, the source added.
