China has released Ngawang Lobsang of Kardze monastery after serving a three-year prison term and Gepe, a popular singer from Amdo Ngaba who was arrested recently following a concert participated by singers from different areas of Tibet.
China arrested Ngawang Lobsang during the sacred Tibetan Buddhist month of Saga Dawa in 2011 for asking China to invite the Dalai Lama to Tibet and demanding more freedom for Tibetans. Monks from his monastery and the local Tibetan community welcomed Lobsang upon his return to the monastery after his release.
Gepe, originally from Amdo Ngaba, was arrested by the Barkham County Public Security Bureau after a concert that was aimed at creating awareness among the Tibetan youth about the significance of preserving Tibetan language and culture on May 24, 2014 . He was released after his parents and relatives gave the Chinese authorities a large sum of money as a ransom, and a promise that he would not resort to patriotic activities.