Former monk released after 5 years in prison

Tsering posing with khatas (well-wishing scarf) upon his arrival at his village/RFA listener

DHARAMSHALA, June 29 : A Tibetan political prisoner has been released on June 24 after completing his sentence of five years at Deyang prison in Sichuan Province.

Tsering, also known as Tsering Yoyoling, was taken to his hometown in Ngaba County by the prison authorities who kept the news of his release under wraps to prevent public reception by his family and friends.

“Once his family and friends knew he had been freed, many supporters visited his home to welcome him back,” said the source, adding that so far no restrictions were imposed on people visiting his home to greet him.

Tsering, a former monk of Kirti monastery, was arrested on June 20, 2011 and subsequently sentenced to five year imprisonment for taking part in a protest outside the county office during the widespread 2008 unrest in Tibet. The police failed to arrest him immediately and he had been on the run since 2008 until his arrest in 2011.

“He managed to escape arrest (in 2008) and since had led a life of a fugitive for three years and suffered tremendously,” the source said.

Ngaba Kirti Monastery has been at the center of self-immolations and solo protest against the Chinese rule in Tibet. Since 2009, 146 Tibetans have self-immolated as a form of protest against China calling for ‘Free Tibet’ and ‘the ‘Dalai Lama’s long life and his return to Tibet’.