Tibetan lama Chadrel Rinpoche, 58, former abbot of Tashilunpo monastery and the head of the Chinese search committee for the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, was found guilty of "leaking state secrets" and "splitting the country," and sentenced to six years in prison and three years' deprivation of political rights. At the same trial in Shigatse in April 1997, Chadrel's assistant Champa Chung, a 50-year old monk, was convicted of the same charges and sentenced to four years' imprisonment and two years' deprivation of political rights. Businessman Samdrup, 30, also involved in the search, received a two-year prison term for "splitting the country." Chadrel Rinpoche opposed Beijing's involvement in the search for the Panchen Lama's reincarnation. He disappeared in May 1995, after having communicated with the Dalai Lama concerning search procedures. He was tried behind closed doors because of the "state secrets" involved in the case. Although his whereabouts have not been disclosed, HRIC believes that he is h

eld in the restricted area of Chuandong No. 3 Prison in Dazu county (Sichuan, 180 km from Chongqing). In this section cut off from the rest of the facility by electric fencing, the only people allowed inside are two commissars who report to the Ministry of Justice and a prisoner who acts as cook and guard for Chadrel Rinpoche. Because of its remoteness, Chuandong Prison has traditionally served to accommodate high profile political prisoners. (Sources: Human Rights in China - New York)