By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, DEC. 23: A young Tibetan monk arrested for carrying out a solo protest in 2014 has been released on December 21 after serving out his full term of two years in Sershul county jail in Kardze, Kham province.
Belonging to the Mangge Monastery, Sonam Yarphel in his mid 20s was released on Wednesday at around 9:30 a.m. (local time). According to sources from the region, he served two years and 25 days in the same jail and was not transferred to another jail.
“At the time of his release, the family members and officials of the monastery were made to sign a document vouching that he would never again violate the laws of the land,” the sources said on condition of anonymity.
“His condition of health appeared to be good at the time of his release,” said the same sources, “His body bore no marks of beating or other kinds of torture.”
They also added that the monk upon his release, was not escorted by the police, which is a norm followed by the Chinese authorities.
The young monk on November 26, 2014 at around 3:50 p.m. (local time) took to the streets of Sershul County walked alone carrying a hand-made placard with a photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and shouting slogans like “Long live the Dalai Lama”.
