By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 3: The Chinese authorities of Gansu province have released a Tibetan political prisoner on medical grounds on Wednesday, reported the Radio Free Asia.
Lakyab, now 25, was jailed during the nationwide protests against Chinese rule for reportedly attempting to burn down a government building and a police station in Tserima Township in Machu County in 2008.
“He was released for medical reasons related to a lung condition he developed as a result of prolonged beatings and torture while in detention,” a source told RFA on condition of anonymity.
“Initially, he was detained for two years in the Machu county detention center, but he was later transferred between three other prisons and subjected to extreme torture and hardship,” said the source, who also asked not to be named.
His friends and family at Nurma village in Tserima Township, despite his medical condition, welcomed the news of his release.
A picture procured by the RFA shows Lakyab wearing a smile despite his ailment and seven years of detention and torture.
“After his release, when he reached home, Tibetans both young and old came out to welcome him, praising his great sacrifice for Tibet’s independence, religion and culture,” the same source added.
Tibetan exiles fear that Chinese authorities release Tibetan political prisoners in poor health due to fear of death in custody. In March 2014, a Tibetan political prisoner Goshul Lobsang succumbed to torture injuries months after he was released on medical parole.
Another Tibetan, Tenzin Choedak, who was serving 15 years in prison died two days after he was handed over to his family in December last year.
Another Tibetan political prisoner, Lobsang Yeshi, 64, died in hospital in Lhasa less than two months after being sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in July this year.
Protests against Chinese rule swept the Tibetan Plateau in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
143 Tibetans have self immolated themselves as a form of protest against Beijing’s rule since 2009.
