13 September 2024

A Tibetan Buddhist monk who served as a librarian at a monastery has been sentenced to three years in prison following a “secret” trial, according to two sources within Tibet who spoke to Radio Free Asia.

Lobsang Thabkhey, 55, was detained by police in June 2023 on allegations of “separatist activities.” He was accused of possessing and republishing books from the exiled Tibetan community and for having connections with individuals outside the region while managing the library at Kirti Monastery in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province, China.

Chinese authorities deem it illegal for Tibetans within Tibet to engage with people from outside the region or interact with the exiled Tibetan community, including the Dalai Lama, whom China labels as a “separatist.”

Although the precise charges against Thabkhey remain unclear, sources suggest they are likely related to previous allegations of publishing “banned books” and having connections with “external forces.”

Thabkhey’s family recently became aware of his sentencing, but authorities did not disclose details about the trial’s date or the specific charges, the sources reported.