Ngawang Choepel, 29, a musician and ethno-musicologist, was sentenced by the Shigatse Intermediate People's Court to an 18-year prison term in late December 1996 on charges of "espionage." Official reports have said Ngawang was collecting information for "an organization of a certain foreign country," elsewhere identified as the United States, and for the "Dalai Lama Clique." He was accused of using the cover of making a documentary on traditional dance and music in Tibet to "gather sensitive intelligence and engage in illegal separatist activities." The verdict has not been made public. The only "evidence" official reports have referred to is Ngawang's alleged confession of a plan for "spying activities," which apparently consists of a list of Tibetan prefectures he was going to visit. Ngawang was born in Tibet, but lived in India since the age of two. He disappeared in September 1995 while visiting Tibet to film a documentary. The Chinese authorities did not admit that they were holding him until late 1996

. (Sources: Human Rights in China - New York)