By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, September 6: A monk of Ngaba Kirti Monastery has been secretly released on September 2 from a Chinese prison after seven-and-half years’ sentence under the charge of involvement in ‘separatist activities’.
Gotsang Jamyang Phuntsok, better known as Jankho, was originally sentenced to six years in jail for his alleged involvement in ‘separatist activities’ and having links with ‘outside separatist forces.’
The monk, now 43, was received by his family, well-wishers and local Tibetans upon his arrival at his hometown.
Prior to his release, the prison authorities had notified his family member of the impending release without giving exact date. They had also instructed them not to arrange any welcome reception upon his arrival.
The monk’s physical condition has suffered a lot during his time in prison and appears to be in a deteriorated condition, a source told the Voice of Tibet radio.
Jamyang and two other monks from the same monastery were arrested on March 3, 2009 from their quarters for sending out information about a fellow monk named Tabey, the first Tibetan inside Tibet to die of self-immolation on February 27, 2009.
State-run Xinhua on March 5, 2009 reported that he had accepted the allegations of disseminating information about Tabey to the outside world to garner international attention to Tibet.
