Lobsang Tenzin, a former student of Tibet University, was arrested in April 1988 in connection with the death of a Chinese policeman during the Lhasa protests and initially sentenced to death. In 1991, international pressure led to the commutation of his sentence to life imprisonment. While incarcerated in Drapchi Prison, he remained steadfast in his opposition to Chinese rule, engaging in protests and underground activism.

In 1989, he co-founded the Snowlands Youth for Tibetan Independence, and faced severe punishment when the group’s activities were uncovered. The following year, he took part in a large-scale prison protest following the death of fellow inmate Lhakpa Tsering, who had been tortured to death. In 1991, during a visit by the U.S. Ambassador, Lobsang clandestinely smuggled a petition exposing widespread prison abuses, which led to further beatings and solitary confinement. He was later transferred to Kongpo Prison, where he and other inmates endured brutal torture.