Based on July 27, 2015, RFA reports (
English,
Tibetan) and a July 27
Phayul report citing Voice of Tibet, on June 19, 2015, public security officials detained 38-year-old monk Choekyi (RFA: “Chokye”) of Phugu Monastery (Phayul: “Phurbu” Monastery) as he shopped with his father in Niduo (Nyitoe) township, Seda (Serthar) county, Ganzi (Kardze) county, Sichuan province. Phayul reported that Choekyi wore a T-shirt with a Tibetan-language message on the back meaning “Celebrating [the Dalai Lama’s] 80th Birthday,” and implied that the message may have been the basis for Choekyi’s detention. Phayul reported that police took Choekyi to the Seda county seat and held him there. On June 20, security officials reportedly detained Choekyi’s sister, Kyizom, and her son, Dragpa for an unknown reason and allegedly beat them in custody before releasing them after 15 days. Police allegedly ordered Dragpa to report to a police station for daily questioning. RFA (
27 December 17) reported that an unknown court had sentenced Choekyi to a 4-year prison sentence, served at Mianyang Prison in Fucheng district, Mianyang municipality, Sichuan. Prior to detention, Choekyi reportedly sought treatment for "liver and stomach ailments"; he reportedly suffered from serious kidney problems and jaundice in prison.