Dawa Choedon, a 21-year-old nun from a small nunnery in the Tagtse area, was arrested on 1 October 1989 after participating in a peaceful demonstration in Lhasa. She marched around Barkhor carrying the Tibetan national flag and distributed leaflets advocating a free Tibet. She was detained the same night and transferred to Lhasa Prison No. 1, where she was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. During detention, she was reportedly held in harsh conditions, subjected to beatings, electric shocks, prolonged interrogations, and inadequate food and sanitation. She was released on 10 July 1996 after completing her sentence.