Lhasa (AsiaNews) - A Tibetan exile, who had returned to his homeland, was arrested yesterday for having staged a solo demonstration in front of the Tsuglakhang temple, a historic place of worship in the capital of Tibet. 28 year old Samdup Gyatso, was surrounded by seven police officers: he had a Tibetan national flag in hand and another in the back of the shirt, and was shouting slogans in favour of the return of the Dalai Lama and the release of the Panchen Lama.

This was reported by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, which currently has no information on where the young man is being held. He held his demonstration during the hour of prayer, also calling for proper post-earthquake management in Qinghai and the delivery of first aid and goods sent by the international community to the population. According to the protester, in addition, the government must address the situation of the nomadic communities of Kyegudo, who are in serious need.

Samdup Gyatso was born in a nomad family in Haiyan County, in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province. After escaping from the region to India in November 2007, he studied at the Sherab Gatsel Lobling, a school for newcomers managed by the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala.  Before he had attended the Jabdrung Gartok monastery.

In March 2008 he returned home through the Nepalese border, and was arrested: he was carrying books and speeches by the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist leader who Beijing accuses of seeking independence. Imprisoned in Drapchi prison, he spent six months in jail. This is the second arrest of a Tibetan who has called for the proper management of goods sent after the earthquake in Qinghai, which killed thousands of Tibetans.