Defendant Qazha Qamba Chilai was sentenced to five years in prison with political rights deprived for three years for plotting to split the country, and was sentenced to two years in prison for leaking state secrets.

The final sentence calls for a six-year jail term and suspension of his political rights for three years.

The 58-year-old Qazha Qamba Chilai was former vice-chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and director of the Civil Administrative Society of Zhaxi Lunbo [Tashilhunpo] Monastery of Xigaze [Shigatse].

Court hearings have testified that Qazha Qamba Chilai has, along with Qamba Qung, former deputy director of the Administration of Deqen Gaisang Pozhang, the Panchen Lama's residence in Xigaze, and Samzhub, former general manager of Cham Branch of the Gangjian Corp of Tibet, colluded with separatist forces abroad. They have seriously jeopardized the national unification and unity of ethnic groups, damaged the stability and development of Tibet and have committed the crime of splitting the country, the court verdict said.

Considering the details of the case, the court, according to the law, diminished the penalties of the three accused on the charge of conspiring to split the country.

Qazha Qamba Chilai and Qamba Qung also violated the country's laws on keeping secrets, criminally disclosing state secrets.

Qazha Qamba Chilai, Qamba Qung and Samzhub confessed everything about the above mentioned actions.

According to the 92nd article, the first clause of the 186th article, and the 23rd, 24th, 51st, 52nd, 64th articles and the second clause of the 59th article of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, the Intermediate People's Court of Xigaze Prefecture made the judgement on Qazha Qamba Chilai.

In addition, the court sentenced Qamba Qung four years in prison and deprived him of two years of political rights, and gave Samzhub two years of prison terms and deprived him of one year of political rights.

Because the case was related to state secrets, the court, in accordance with the first clause of the 152nd article of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, tried the case without opening to the public. In court, the accused were notified of the reason for not opening the trial to the public.

Qazha Qamba Chilai and Qamba Qung declined their right to counsel, and the two accused exercised their right to defend themselves in court. Samzhub entrusted a lawyer for his defence.

Following court debates, the three accused made final statements.

The court pronounced judgement in open session and all the three accused indicated acceptance of the rulings and would not appeal against the rulings. The rulings went into effect on 5th May.

Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 0735 gmt 7 May 97