Jamphel Gyatso, a monk from Sera Monastery in Lhatse County, Shigatse, was arrested in January 2001 after a patrolling officer overheard an audio recording in his room containing teachings by the Dalai Lama. Security officials searched his room for evidence and took him to Gutsa Detention Centre. During his detention, he was denied visits from family and friends and held under strict surveillance. Authorities noted that he had been living at the monastery as an “unregistered monk” since 1994.