Lobsang Tsultrim was a 29-year-old monk from Rabgya Monastery in the Amdo region who was arrested in May 2001 in New Tingri County. He was detained at Nyari Detention Centre for nearly two months before being transferred to Golog. Chinese authorities accused him of possessing and transporting politically sensitive materials, including photographs of the 14th Dalai Lama, exile publications, and human rights documents.

During detention, Lobsang Tsultrim reportedly suffered severe torture, including prolonged shackling of his feet for over a month and repeated electric shocks during interrogation. In September 2001, he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. However, within twenty days of sentencing, he was released after his family reportedly paid approximately 15,000 yuan for his bail.