Access to Millions of Visitor Simple Sign Up - Start Immediately

China: No reprisals for chatty monks


Published: March 28, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Print story
Email to a friend
Font size:
LHASA, China, March 28 (UPI) -- A Chinese official promised Friday that Buddhist monks who told foreign reporters in Lhasa the country has no religious freedom will not be imprisoned.

However, Baima Chilin, vice chairman of the Tibet government, said the monks are not being allowed to leave the Jokhang Temple because they are under investigation for rioting earlier in March, Voice of America reported. In a statement to official Chinese news organizations, he said they would not be punished specifically for talking to foreign press.

China forced all foreign reporters to leave Lhasa during the riots. A small group was allowed to spend two days in Lhasa Thursday and Friday.

During the press visit to the Jokhang Temple Thursday, some of the monks disputed the government's claim that the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, orchestrated the protests.

Chinese officials have said the Olympic torch will be carried through Tibet as planned. The highlight is to be taking the torch to the summit of Mount Everest.

© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
Print story
Order reprints
Email to a friend
Post comment
See Also:
» Next in Top News: Prices spike upward in Tibet

R KELLY TIRAL
R&B artist R. Kelly arrives at Cook County criminal court for the first day of jury selection in his child pornography trial in Chicago on May 9, 2008. Kelly is charged with allegedly having videotaped sex with a girl believed to be as young as 13 years old. (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey)
Jury selection begins in R. Kelly child pornography trial
Full Photo | Slideshow