Gyaltsen Chophel, born in 1965 in the Barkhor area of Lhasa, was a Tibetan student associated with the Gelugpa religious tradition. Prior to his arrest, he had been studying at Nechung School but had been unable to attend classes for approximately one year due to his father’s illness.

On the night of 12 March 1988, Gyaltsen Chophel was arrested at his home by authorities. His arrest followed an incident on 5 March 1988, when he and others witnessed Chinese soldiers fatally shooting a Tibetan from Kham in Lhasa. Tibetans carried the body around the Barkhor area in protest. When the group reached the Ponda Tsang building, they reportedly learned that several Tibetans were being severely beaten by Chinese soldiers. Gyaltsen Chophel and others rushed to the scene. Authorities later accused them of attacking two Chinese soldiers and throwing them from the upper floor of the building, resulting in the death of one soldier while the other survived. On this basis, Gyaltsen Chophel was accused of murder. He was initially detained without formal charges and later held in Gutsa Prison. On 16 April 1988, the Lhasa Public Security Bureau formally charged him. Since his detention, family members and relatives were reportedly not permitted to visit him. His case reflects the severe treatment faced by detainees arrested in connection with the protests and unrest in Lhasa during 1988.