DHARAMSHALA, June 17: Chinese authorities in Zoege, Khyungchu County on Thursday have released Gepey, a popular Tibetan singer, on bail.
Gepey, a popular singer known for his patriotic songs was arrested by Barkham County Public Security Bureau after a concert that was attended by thousands of fans and music enthusiasts on May 24. A group of Tibetan youngsters from Khungchu County had organized the concert for which they had invited Tibetan singers from various parts of Tibet.
Following the concert, Chinese officers from Barkham County arrived at the concert venue and took Gepey away without citing any reasons for his arrest. Since then, there was no information about him until his release last week.
Gepey is a well-known artist and has a huge fan following in Tibet and the Diaspora. Some of his popular songs are “Pain without Trace” (Mamey Ki Na Zsug), “I am coming” (Nga Yong Gi Yoe), and “A short song of Remembrance” (Drenpey Sheychung).
Another political prisoner Ngawang Lobsang, a monk from Kardze monastery, has been released on June 13 after completion of his three year prison term.
On 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar, (Saka Dawa) 2011, Ngawang Lobsang threw leaflets demanding freedom in Tibet while raising slogans for the long life and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at an early morning gathering of religious devotees. Drawing the crowd’s attention, he kneeled down on the ground and continued calling for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with hands closed in prayers before he was taken away by Chinese security personnel.
