Lobsang Dhargyal, born in 1962 in Sheryang and Tsodon, was a former monk of Rabgya Monastery in Machen County, Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Influenced by his father’s strong pro-independence beliefs, he became a committed advocate for Tibetan self-determination and took part in a range of peaceful political activities.

In 1992, Dhargyal was involved in a pro-independence leaflet campaign carried out during a religious ceremony at Rabgya Monastery. The leaflets, bearing slogans such as “Free Tibet” and “China, Quit Tibet,” were intended as a nonviolent expression of political dissent. Ten days later, on 25 November 1992, he was arrested by Public Security Bureau officers. He was subsequently sentenced by the Golog Intermediate People’s Court to 16 years’ imprisonment on charges of “espionage and splittist activities,” despite the peaceful nature of his actions. This sentence followed an earlier prison term of two and a half years that he had already served for similar political advocacy.