Runggye Adrak, one of the most prominent Tibetan political prisoners, was released on July 30 after serving an eight year prison sentence. According to close sources, Chinese officials from Mianyang prison in the Sichuan Province dropped him home at around one o’clock in the morning without any prior notice to his family. It is assumed that he was driven home in the middle of the night to avoid a heroic welcome from his community.
There is no information available about his present physical and psychological condition, due to the severe restriction on communication channels throughout Lithing County, reports the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.
Runggye Adrak
Photo:International Campaign for Tibet
Adrak was arrested after speaking openly about the sufferings of Tibetans to an audience of thousands of people gathered at an annual horse-racing festival on August 1, 2007 at Lithang County in Kardze, in the presence of Chinese officials and police. He was sentenced to eight years on a charge of “provocation to subvert state power”, among others. He surprised the audience when he calmly came to the stage and said these words: “Did you hear what has happened to us? Did you hear what has happened to us? Although we can move our bodies, we cannot express what is in our hearts. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the one that we six million Tibetans truly need.” He also called for the release of political prisoners. The sources mentioned that his words might have been prompted by the provocative Chinese ruling imposed on monasteries in Lithang that requires monks to sign a document stating they are against the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet.
His detention sparked protests and international petitions calling for his release. Adrak Lopoe, his nephew, and Kunkhyen, a teacher, were sentenced to ten years and nine years respectively for trying to spread the news of Runggye Adak’s detention to the outside world.
Tibetans and supporters around the world rejoiced in the homecoming of a hero.
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