According to reliable sources, two Tibetans from Karze County, Sichuan Province were arrested in connection to the case of Trulku Tenzin Delek and Lobsang Dhondup. It appears that they have been arrested on grounds of suspicion for providing information on Trulku and Lobsang Dhondup.

On 12 February 2003, at 7.00 pm, six police officers arrested 34-year-old, Taphel from his house. Originally from Lithang Zampa township, Taphel's wife is Trulku Tenzin Delek's niece. Taphel is a businessman and has eight members in his family including his father, Wangdu.

The second person detained is Dhedhe, also a businessman from Lithang Derge township. On the night of 14 February 2003, he was arrested by police officers at the Nyagchuka County. Cousin to Trulku Tenzin Delek, Dhedhe, 42 years old has four members in his family including his father, Apak. Dhedhe was one of the two relatives present at the initial closed court hearing of Trulku and Lobsang when they were convicted.

Information that a third person, Tsering Dhondup, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment has recently surfaced. Tsering Dhondup was arrested approximately two months after Trulku Tenzin Delek was arrested on 7 April 2002. He is the head of Othok village in Nyakchuka County. According to reliable information, Tsering Dhondup is currently held in Dartsedo Detention Centre. To date TCHRD has received no information on the whereabouts nor the charges levied against Taphel and Dhedhe.

Lobsang Dhondup 26 was executed on 26 January 2003 and Trulku Tenzin Delek faces a death sentence with two years reprieve. Their sentences were passed on 2 December 2002 by the Karze Intermediate People's Court, Sichuan Province. The trial was unfair and held without due process behind closed doors. On 17/18 February 2003, Lobsang Dhondup's family was reportedly contacted by Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture police. The family was instructed to collect Lobsang Dhondup's dead body but after the half day journey by bus to Dartsedo, they were given only a bag of ash claiming to be that of Lobsang Dhondups'.

There are currently eight people detained in connection to Trulku's case including Taphel, Dhedhe and Tsering Dhondup and two cases of disappearances. Four of them, Asher Dhargyal, Tamding Tsering, Dhondup and Tsultrim Dhargyal were arrested along with Trulku the night of 7 April 2002. Luzi Tashi Phuntsok, the disciplinarian (Tib: Gaekoe) and former caretaker of Thekchen Jangchup Choeling Monastery established by Trulku was detained probably in July/August, 2002. Being the disciplinarian, Luzi Tashi shouldered much responsibility of the monastery including prayer ceremonies and festivals. The whereabouts of two juvenile orphans (names unknown) who were in the close care and aide of Trulku remains unknown. They were found missing since May/June 2002 and no one has reportedly seen them since then.

Click here for Photos of all the detainees except Dhondup's