Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, April 1: Dhargye, a 64-year-old Tibetan monk, has reportedly been sentenced in secret to seven years in prison following his arbitrary detention in August 2021 in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, according to the research group, Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Dhargye’s family only became aware of the sentence in late January this year. Authorities have not disclosed key details, including the date of sentencing, the court responsible for the verdict, or his current place of detention. His case remains shrouded in secrecy, with no confirmation as to whether a formal trial was ever conducted.
For over three years, Dhargye’s whereabouts were unknown, amounting to an enforced disappearance. Throughout this period, his family received no official notification regarding his detention, the charges against him, or the legal proceedings leading to his sentencing.
According to information obtained by TCHRD, Dhargye was reportedly punished for making religious monetary offerings—Kyab-ten and Ngo-ten—to the exile Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He is also believed to have been accused of assisting Tibetan monks in leaving Tibet.
A source cited by the group stated that Dhargye’s family remains deeply concerned about his wellbeing, particularly given his age and the complete lack of information regarding his condition and whereabouts.
TCHRD had previously reported Dhargye’s arrest alongside his relative Tsering and a nun, Choekyi, in Lhasa. While the two were released after several months in detention, Dhargye remained in custody and was subsequently subjected to enforced disappearance.
Dhargye, a monk of Serta Sera Monastery, was widely respected for his integrity, spiritual discipline, and service to the Tibetan community. He spent many years in Lhasa undertaking pilgrimages, engaging in prolonged retreats, and receiving teachings from prominent lamas. Known for his religious devotion, he was often sought by local Tibetans to perform consecration rituals for sacred objects, scriptures, and stupas, and also ran a small shop offering religious services.
