Dharamsala, December 28 – A Chinese court in Dhartsedo has sentenced Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche , a renowned Tibetan Lama in Kardze County, to over eight years in prison, the Voice of Tibet radio reported citing a source with contacts in the region. The sentence was passed by Dhartsedo Intermediate People’s Court around 24 December, 2009, according to the source.
Chinese police arrested Rinpoche on 18 May 2008 for ‘alleged’ possession of weapons. Police alleged a pistol and more than 100 bullets and cartridges were found under a bed in Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche’s living room but he has denied the allegation, saying he was framed, his Beijing-based lawyer Li Fangping had told the Associated Press. Li added that Rinpoche was forced into making a confession after a police interrogation that lasted four days and threats that his wife and son would be detained if he did not comply.
Tulku Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche is a highly respected Tulku (Living Buddha) of Tehor Kardze Monastery. He is also the chief spiritual preceptor and the head of Pang-ri and Ya-tseg Nunneries in Kardze.
Rinpoche had run a home for the elderly and taken care of orphans and handicapped children.
Sources say Rinpoche was framed under false charge because the Chinese police suspected his influence over the nuns from the Pangri and Yatseg nunneries who had carried out a peaceful protest against the Chinese government’s “patriotic education” campaign four days earlier.
Rinpoche is currently held at Dhartsedo prison.
