Trials in Chinese Monk Self-immolation Death

Trials have opened in the case of the monk who died from self-immolation in Sichuan Province, AP reports:

The March 16 death of Rigzin Phuntsog, 16, was seen by fellow monks and observers as a political protest against China’s heavy-handed controls on Tibetan Buddhism and provoked a standoff between security forces and monks.

Authorities accuse two monks, Tsering Tenzin and Tenchum, of plotting, instigating, and assisting in the self-immolation. A third, Drongdru, is accused of moving and hiding the injured monk, preventing him from receiving emergency treatment for 11 hours and eventually leading to his death.

One of the monks went on trial on Monday and two more will follow on Tuesday, a clerk with the Maerkang County People’s Court in Sichuan province’s Aba prefecture said.

The clerk, who gave only his surname, Zhou, said he did not know which monk went on trial Monday nor how long the trials would last, although the outcomes in such cases are usually predetermined by authorities.

Read more about the case via CDT.

CDT EBOOKS

Subscribe to CDT

SUPPORT CDT

Browsers Unbounded by Lantern

Now, you can combat internet censorship in a new way: by toggling the switch below while browsing China Digital Times, you can provide a secure "bridge" for people who want to freely access information. This open-source project is powered by Lantern, know more about this project.

Google Ads 1

Giving Assistant

Google Ads 2

Anti-censorship Tools

Life Without Walls

Click on the image to download Firefly for circumvention

Open popup
X

Welcome back!

CDT is a non-profit media site, and we need your support. Your contribution will help us provide more translations, breaking news, and other content you love.