Yeshi Rabgyal (born 1968) was a monk at Gaden Monastery in Meldrogunkar County, Lhasa City. In May 1996, during a “re-education” session at the monastery, a Chinese work team imposed a total ban on pictures of the Dalai Lama. Leading a large group of monks, Yeshi confronted the officials and refused to surrender the images. That evening, security forces returned with reinforcements, resulting in a violent clash in which two monks were killed.

The following day, Yeshi Rabgyal was identified and arrested along with monk Jampa Lodroe. He was severely beaten during detention at Gutsa. In the months that followed, a total of 62 monks and one layperson were arrested, with 17—including Yeshi Rabgyal—receiving sentences of five years or more.

In August 1996, the Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Yeshi Rabgyal and Jampa Lodroe to 15 years’ imprisonment. Yeshi was initially held in Drapchi Prison, then transferred to Trisam “re-education through labour” Prison, before continuing his term in Drapchi. Other prisoners from this crackdown included Jampa Lodroe (Lobsang Tenpa), Atsak, Jampa Tenkyong, Pasang Tsogye, Tenzin Gelek, Yonten Gyalpo, Lobsang Wangchuk, Sonam Tsering, Lobsang Dawa, Kunchok Dhondup, Phuntsok Dhondup, Tasang Norbu, Jampa Thaye, Dueshe Lobsang Dawa, and Lobsang Tenzin.