October 2024

Xiangba Qupei was punished for “divulging sensitive information”—in reality, the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Last week, the family of Tibetan monk Xiangba Qupei from Rebgong (Ch. Tongren) learned that he had been sentenced to 18 months in prison last August. The family had not been informed of the trial or the verdict. Rebgong is part of historical Tibet, but the Chinese authorities made it the capital of the so-called Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai province.

Xiangba Qupei’s “crime” was sharing the Dalai Lama’s teachings on WeChat Moments. He is currently imprisoned in Xining City, the capital of Qinghai.

He was arrested at his monastery in mid-March for allegedly “sharing sensitive information” on March 10, the anniversary of Tibet’s uprising. The so-called “sensitive information” was, in fact, teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

After being detained in a Rebgong prison since March 22, he was sentenced to 18 months in August and transferred to Xining on September 22 to serve his sentence. Chinese authorities not only withheld information about his arrest and prosecution from his family but also threatened them against seeking details about his situation. Voice of Tibet reported the sentencing, which has now been confirmed.