Lobsang Dechen, aged 28, is a monk from Serwa Monastery in Pashoe County. He was detained on 1 July 1997 for participating in a demonstration and for replacing the nameplates of the People’s Government County Headquarters with pro-independence posters. The demonstration, staged by seven monks in Sernon Township, Pashoe County, lasted approximately fifteen minutes. A layman named Rigzin, a whitewasher by profession, was also arrested on suspicion of cooperating with the monks.

After thirteen days of detention, Lobsang Dechen, Rigzin, and the other monks were transferred from Pashoe Detention Centre to Chamdo Detention Centre. In 1997, the Chamdo Intermediate People’s Court handed down their sentences: Rigzin was sentenced to eight years; Rigzin Choephl (born 1976) and Sherab Tsultrim (born 1973) to six years each; and Tashi Phuntsok (born 1975), Lobsang Topchen (born 1975), Ngawang Choephl (born 1985), Dawa Dorje (born 1987), and Lobsang Dechen (born 1972) to four years each. All were subsequently transferred to Drapchi Prison, where they are currently serving their sentences.