Phuntsok Rigchog, born in 1966, was a monk of Tashi Gang Monastery. In May 1994, he was arrested in Lhasa along with six other monks after participating in a peaceful protest. Following their arrest, they were beaten, denied proper legal process, and tried on charges of “counter-revolutionary” activities.

Phuntsok Rigchog was initially sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. After taking part in the Drapchi Prison protests in 1998, his sentence was extended by an additional four years, bringing his total term to ten years. Based on this sentence, he was expected to be released in 2004.