Chinese Authorities Free Gonpo Kyi After Recent Arrest
DHARAMSALA, 22 Dec: “Gonmo Kyi” (Gonpo Kyi), the sister of imprisoned Tibetan businessman and philanthropist Dorjee Tashi, has been released by Chinese authorities in Lhasa, Tibet Watch said.
Citing a reliable source, the research partner of the London-based advocacy group Free Tibet reported that “Chinese police authorities in Lhasa released Gonmo Kyi on Thursday”, four days after the release of her husband Choekyong. Tibet Watch stated they don’t have any additional information other than her release, as the couple’s family members and relatives are under heightened surveillance.
The Chinese authorities arrested the couple on the morning of 13 December as they visited Lhasa People’s Court with a letter calling for the retrial of Dorjee Tashi’s life sentence—a penalty given without proper trials on trumped-up charges. They were taken to an unspecified police station, and their situation remained unknown until Choekyong’s sudden release on Monday.
Gonpo Kyi has consistently demonstrated against the Chinese authorities on behalf of her incarcerated brother, Dorjee Tashi, who was convicted and given a life sentence in prison under circumstances that she and numerous human rights organizations deem unjust and unfair.
Earlier, on 1 August, she was also beaten by authorities outside the notorious Drapchi prison in Lhasa after she appealed to the Chinese authorities for a promised meeting, which unfortunately never took place.
Her brother, Dorjee Tashi, was once a successful hotelier and businessman involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors. Following the 2008 pan-Tibetan uprising in Lhasa, he was arrested and sentenced to life in prison on trumped-up charges, without proper trials.
Gonpo Kyi and other family members have made multiple attempts to initiate the appeal process for a re-trial with the concerned Chinese authorities, but their efforts have yielded no results. Despite the arrests, beatings, and threats she has received from Chinese authorities, she continues to steadfastly seek justice for her brother.
The sibling duo, Dorjee Tashi and Gonpo, were honored with the 2023 ‘Trulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Medal of Courage.’
