Sonam Choephel, born in 1937 in Shang Namling, was arrested by the Chinese authorities on 21 March 1959 during the period of widespread political repression that followed the Tibetan National Uprising. He was accused of engaging in “counter-revolutionary” activities and was subsequently prosecuted on political grounds.

Following his detention, Sonam Choephel was convicted and sentenced to six years of imprisonment. His incarceration took place amid the broader crackdown on Tibetans suspected of opposing Chinese rule in Tibet after 1959. He remained in prison until the completion of his sentence, enduring years of deprivation and political persecution.

After his release, Sonam Choephel continued to live under restrictive conditions in Tibet before eventually escaping into exile. In 1984, he reached India, where he sought refuge after years of political repression under Chinese rule.