Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 24: Chinese authorities have reportedly sentenced Jampa Choephel, a Tibetan monk from Rebkong, in the so called Qinghai Province, to a year and a half in prison. His was convicted for reposting teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, on his WeChat account on March 10, aligning with Tibetan National Uprising Day, according to Dharamshala-based Tibetan-language outlet, Tibet Times.
Jampa Choephel was detained on March 22 and was held at a Chinese government prison in Gura Tang in lower Rebkong. He was subsequently sentenced to a year and half in jail. According to an anonymous source, Jampa was transferred to Xining City on the 22nd of this month, where he is expected to serve the remainder of his sentence in Chinese custody.
The Rebkong City Police Department carried out the arrest and detention, while the Rebkong City People’s Procuratorate prosecuted him and the Rebkong City People’s Court passed the sentence. Throughout the entire legal process, Jampa’s family members were not informed. Additionally, his relatives have reportedly been threatened with punishment if they inquire about his situation.
Jampa Choephel first went into exile in India in 1986 and studied for ten years at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamshala. After completing his studies, he returned to Tibet in 1996. He resides primarily at Penkar Thang Monastery in lower Rebkong, focusing on meditation retreats and spiritual practice. Occasionally, he visits various holy sites for spiritual practice. Jampa is also skilled in Tibetan calligraphy and is proficient in English, often teaching both to those interested.
