Dharamshala: The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), in Dharamshala, India, reports that three Tibetans from Thangkyil township, Karze prefecture (Chinese name), eastern Tibet, have received harsh court sentences.
According to TCHRD, on 17 November 2009, Karze Municipal Intermediate People's Court sentenced Pema Yeshe (29) from Nyidha village, to a two-year suspended death penalty. Tsewang Gyatso (33) received life imprisonment, and Sonam Gonpo (25) was given a 16-year term. The latter two both worked as school cooks in Thangkyil. All three were charged with violating state security and engaging in separatist activities.
TCHRD reports that Karze police arrested the three on March 11 last year, under suspicion of posting pro-Tibetan independence slogans in Thangkyil township, and setting fire to its local government office.
Since their arrests, Pema Yeshe has been held in Dartsedho county detention centre, whilst Sonam and Tsewang have been detained in a Deyang region prison, in so-called "Chiese Sichuan" province.
