01 September 2005
Court jailed more than 20 'Reactionary' Tibetans Since 1996
Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports that the Intermediate People's Court in Shigatse has jailed more than 20 Tibetans in the last decade for 'reactionary' offenses, including the possession of photos of the Dalai Lama. "The court has the authority to sentence any individual who commits reactionary actions", an official at the Court told RFA. He added: "The length of the sentences ranged from one to five years". During a call-in show, a person describing himself as a judge at the Shiagtase court told RFA presenter Tseten Dolkar: "There are rules that guide us for making such decisions. It depends on the quantity of illegal materials brought in from abroad. The court documents specify guidelines for the decisions we should make. The materials could be photos of the Dalai Lama, or other documents inciting separatist activities (…) Any document that relates to Tibetan independence, Dalai Lama photos, or any other documents or literature containing reactionary themes or subjects are punishable".