China has sentenced a popular Tibetan singer to four years
in prison for calling on Tibetans to unify and speak their language, reports
said, highlighting tight cultural controls in the region.
Kalsang Yarphel, 39, was convicted by a court in the
southwestern province of Sichuan after taking part in concerts encouraging
people to speak and learn Tibetan, India-based news website Phayul.com reported
on Sunday.
“Authorities accuse him of singing songs that have political
overtones,” Phayul.com also reported, adding that Yarphel’s music arranger was
also sentenced to two years in jail.
It was not clear what crime the singer – who blends
traditional Tibetan instrumentation with pop influences – was convicted of last
Thursday, AFP news agency reported.
US-based broadcaster Radio Free Asia (RFA) cited a local
source as saying: “He was indicted for organising Tibetan concerts and singing
songs…carrying political themes.”
Yarphel’s songs included “We Should Learn Tibetan” and “We
Should Unite”, RFA reported, adding that he was detained last year. The
concerts were in 2012, the reports said.
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