VOA News
May 27, 2014
A Tibetan singer has been arrested following a concert with performers from other Tibetan regions of China.
The singer, known as Gepe, was arrested Saturday by security forces after a concert that thousands of fans and music enthusiasts attended.
Lobsang Yeshi, a Tibet observer in Dharamsala, India told VOA’s Tibetan service that a group of Tibetan youngsters had organized the concert and received the proper permission from authorities.
“Three relevant county offices, including police, had given the concert organizers permit to have Gepe performing at the concert,” said Lobsang Yeshi. “But the police came and forcefully taken him away on the first day of concert while he was having dinner.”
Sources told VOA the concert was held with the aim of creating awareness among Tibetan youth about the importance of the Tibetan language and culture.
Lobsang Yeshi said Gepe is currently in detention in Sichuan province. Chinese officials have not commented on the matter.
