Sonam Dhondup (born 1977) was a monk at Nyalenda Monastery in Phenpo Khatse, Lhundrup County. In March 1995, he was arrested together with four other monks for distributing booklets about Tibet and a Tibetan national flag. While distributing the materials in Thang, they were confronted by Chinese officials, resulting in a physical altercation. Subsequent searches of their rooms uncovered the materials.

Sonam Dhondup was identified as the leader and, along with Tseten (born 1968), was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. Legs­he Ngawang received a six-year sentence, while Legs­he Choesang (born 1967) and Legs­he Thupke were each sentenced to five years. Sonam Dhondup has been held in Drapchi Prison, where family visits were reportedly restricted, and he was expected to be released around 2007.