Reported By Kelsang Jinpa
Translated by TenGyal
Edited By Kelsang Jinpa
Almost two months have passed since Chinese authorities arrested Ven. Zega Gyatso, a monk from Tsang Monastery, on the alleged charges of “sending money outside.” At present, there is still no clear information regarding his whereabouts or condition.
According to verified information received by Tibet Times from a reliable source, Ven. Zega Gyatso was taken into custody by Chinese police in Xining around July 2nd during the 90th birthday celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Ven. Gyatso is originally from Tsang Monastery, in Sogzong County, Malho, (Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) Amdo.
His relatives have been denied all contact or visitation, and no details have been provided about the place of his detention.
Although Chinese authorities accused of Ven. Zega Gyatso “sending money to India,” where his relatives in exile reject this claim and suspect that the arrest is tied to another matter. In early July, when Ven. Gyatso traveled to Xining City to seek medical consultation due to health issues, he was taken into custody by the police. Even after almost two months now, his family has not been allowed visitation rights, making it extremely difficult to confirm where he is being held.
Since the arrest of his younger brother, Khedrub Gyatso, in 2008, the family and friends—and Ven. Gyatso in particular—have been placed under constant suspicion and surveillance by the Chinese authorities. Accusing them of maintaining contacts outside Tibet, the authorities repeatedly subjected them to harassment, including warnings, interrogations, and sudden summons to the police station.
Ven. Zega Gyatso previously studied for a year at Sera Je Monastery in India in 2002. The following year, he returned to Tibet and pursued further education at Ragya School. After completing his studies, he served as a teacher at the Leksheling Five Sciences School in Tsang Monastery, where he continued teaching the Tibetan language until his arrest. He is the eldest of six siblings—three sons and three daughters—born to his father Sowang and mother Tashi. Ven. Gyatso is 48 years old at present.
