Dharamsala, August 10 – A Chinese court in Kardze has sentenced a Tibetan man to 5 years imprisonment and deprivation of political rights, the Tehor Welfare Society told the Voice of Tibet radio service.
Sangay Tashi, 38, was charged with crimes of “inciting separatism” and sentenced around August 3, 2009.
Sangay carried out a protest expressing his opposition to China’s rule on June 21 last year when the Beijing Olympic torch was being paraded in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. He wore a bandana on which he wrote “Free Tibet”. He painted the Tibetan national flag on his face and marched into the street in Kardze town handing out pamphlets that contained slogans such as “Long live Dalai Lama” and “Free Tibet”.
He was among the 15 captured Tibetans who were paraded on April 5 this year in Kardze town by the Chinese authorities to intimidate the Tibetans. The Tibetan prisoners had their heads shaven, their hands and legs chained. The authorities announced through a loudspeaker that anybody who protested the Chinese government would face similar consequences.
In another incident, authorities in Sertha had issued threats to kill five Tibetans who are reportedly on the run after their participation in anti China protests last year. A member of the Tibetan parliament, Sertha Tsuiltrim Woser, told Voice of Tibet radio that about 400 soldiers were called in from Dhartsedo to hunt for the 5 Tibetans since last week of July. The five, Sukyab, 43, Ghangdor, 28, Shidi, Nyeldor and an unidentified man, have been accused of ‘involvement in separatism’ and asked to surrender themselves before the authorities failing which they could face death. However, none surrendered so far.
