Samdrup formerly served as General Manager of the Cham Branch of the Gangjian Corporation of Tibet.

On 21 April, the Intermediate People’s Court of Xigaze Prefecture convicted him of conspiring to split the country. The court determined that he had colluded with separatist forces abroad and that his actions endangered national unity and stability in Tibet.

He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and deprived of political rights for one year. Unlike his co-defendants, Samdup was represented by legal counsel during the closed trial.

After the judgment was pronounced in open session, he accepted the verdict and waived his right to appeal. The sentence became effective on 5 May.