Bhutuk (b. 1974), a former monk of Drongtso Monastery from Drambu Township, Gyantse County, Shigatse, was arrested in May 1996 together with fellow monk Ngodup Gyaltsen for producing and distributing pro-independence leaflets and cassette recordings of speeches by the Dalai Lama. The two were initially detained at Gyantse Detention Centre for three months before being transferred to Shigatse Nyari Detention Centre. In late November 1996, the Shigatse Intermediate People's Court convicted them of "counter-revolutionary propaganda" and sentenced each to five years' imprisonment and two years' deprivation of political rights. Following sentencing, they were held for 15 days in Shigatse Detention Centre before being transferred to Drapchi Prison in December 1996. Bhutuk was 22 years old at the time of his arrest and sentencing.