Dhondup Wangchen is a Tibetan filmmaker imprisoned by the Chinese government in 2008 on charges related to his documentary Leaving Fear Behind.
16 Facts About Dhondup Wangchen
2.
Dhondup Wangchen was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for subversion.
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Dhondup Wangchen served his full six-year sentence and was released from prison on 5 June 2014.
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In December 2017 Wangchen escaped from China to the United States, arriving in San Francisco on 25 December, where his wife and children live, having been granted political asylum in the United States in 2012.
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Dhondup Wangchen was born in 1974, in Bayen in the Tsoshar region of Qinghai province.
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Dhondup Wangchen returned to Tibet shortly after to act as an activist for the Tibetan cause.
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In preparation for likely reprisals by the Chinese government, Dhondup Wangchen moved his wife, Llamo Tso, and their four children to Dharamsala, India.
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Dhondup Wangchen was later moved to Xining City No 1 Detention Centre, where he was held incommunicado until April 2009, when he was allowed to meet with his lawyer, Li Dunyong.
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On 28 December 2009, Dhondup Wangchen was sentenced to six year's imprisonment for subversion, following a secret trial in Xining.
10.
Dhondup Wangchen's family stated that he has contracted Hepatitis B while imprisoned, and his health was said to be failing.
11.
On 6 April 2012, Amnesty International issued another appeal on Dhondup Wangchen's behalf warning that he was being denied needed medical treatment.
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Jigme Gyatso and Dhondup Wangchen's arrests were condemned by numerous human rights groups.
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In 2012, Dhondup Wangchen won the International Press Freedom Award of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
14.
Dhondup Wangchen was honored in absentia at the organization's November 2012 banquet due to his ongoing imprisonment.
15.
Dhondup Wangchen served his full six-year sentence and was released from prison on 5 June 2014.
16.
In December 2017 Dhondup Wangchen escaped from China to the United States, arriving in San Francisco on 25 December, where his wife and children live, having been granted political asylum in the United States in 2012.