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Prominent Tibetan Businessman Gets Life Sentence

   VOA News 12 August 2010
   A  Taiwanese  supporter  holds slogans during a march marking the 51st
   anniversary of the Tibet uprising against mainland China

Photo: AP

   A  Taiwanese  supporter  holds slogans during a march marking the 51st
   anniversary  of  the  Tibet uprising against mainland China in Taipei,
   Taiwan, 14 March 2010

   Associates  of  one of Tibet's richest businessmen say Dorje Tashi has
   been  sentenced  to life in prison on charges of helping Tibetan exile
   groups.
   People  close to the prominent hotel owner's family told VOA's Tibetan
   service  the  sentence  was delivered on June 26 but has not been made
   public by the Chinese government. The sentence is also reported by the
   Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy.
   The Associated Press quoted that India-based group saying Dorje Tashi,
   owner  of  the  famed  Yak Hotel, was accused of "funding some outside
   Tibetan groups." No further details of the charges were available.
   China has cracked down on dissent in Tibet since riots in 2008 left at
   least 22 people dead. But observers were surprised at the harshness of
   the  sentence given to Dorje Tashi, who is reported to have joined the
   Communist Party and worked closely with authorities.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP.

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