Tibetan writer Shogjang released after completing three years’ sentence

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, March 20: Prominent Tibetan writer and poet, Druklo was released by the Chinese authorities after completing his three years’ sentence.

Druklo, popularly known by his pen name Shogjang was released by the Chinese authorities from prison on March 19.

After his release, his families came to receive him in Sangchu county and was allowed to return home only after nightfall. Many Tibetans from across Tibet also came to greet him upon his release.

Shogjang was detained by Chinese authorities in Rebkong County in the Traditional Tibetan Province of Amdo on March 19, 2015, but authorities admitted to his detention only on May 5.

It is believed that the authorities targeted him for his blog and social media posts highlighting the increased presence of armed security forces in Tibet as well as political repression and environmental degradation.

Though Shogjang maintained his innocence, he was convicted of ‘inciting separatism’ by an intermediate public court in Malho Prefecture on February 17, 2016. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and two years’ deprivation of political rights.

Shogjang had been detained earlier on April 6, 2010 along with another popular Tibetan writer, Tashi Rabten (Pen name: Theurang) for writing Pan-Tibetan Uprising of 2008. While Shogjang was released on May 8, 2010 after being subjected to interrogation and torture by Chinese authorities during his 32-day detention, Theurang was sentenced to four years and released on March 29, 2014, after completing his sentence.

Shogjang hails from Gengya Village in Labrang County in Amdo. He graduated from Northwest University for Nationalities in Lanzhou.