Dega Trogawa (also known as Dega Troga), born around 1932, was a Tibetan from Shigatse who was first arrested by Chinese authorities in 1959 following the occupation of Tibet. He was imprisoned for 21 years under harsh conditions before being released in 1980. After his release, he became involved in a confrontation with police during the Panchen Lama's visit to Gyantse in 1982, when he attempted to protect civilians from a violent police crackdown, prompting him to flee into exile in India.

Having lived in exile since 1982, Dega returned to Tibet in October 1990 on a Chinese visa to visit his son. He was placed under constant surveillance from the moment he entered Tibet. On 12 December 1990, while returning to India, he was rearrested by Chinese police near Shigatse, who confiscated his travel documents, searched his belongings, and subjected him to interrogation before transferring him to detention. Reports indicated that he was subsequently held in Tsang Prison.