Two Tibetans who were earlier sentenced on 21 May 2009 by the Kanlho (Ch: Gannan) Intermediate People’s Court to life and another to 15 years’ imprisonment terms were denied access to family members since their detention for more than a year, according to information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Tsultrim Gyatso, a 37-year-old from Yigchung Thang Village in Labrang (Ch: Xiahe) County, and Thabkhay Gyatso, 34, from Sangkhog Township in Labrang County were detained for their participation in the protests that took place in Labrang on 14 and 15 May 2008. Both Tsultrim and Thabkhay are monks of Labrang Monastery in Sangchu County, Gannan “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” (‘TAP’) Gansu Province. Tsultrim Gyatso immediately left Sangchu County after the demonstration to avoid arrest but was eventually tracked down and arrested by Drugchu County Public Security Bureau (PSB) personnel on 22 May 2008. There is no clear information on Thabkhay Gyatso’s place and date of detention.