Ngawang Gyalsten

Born in 1960, Ngawang Gyalsten was one of the Drepung printing group of monks arrested on 16 April 1989 and sentenced to 17 years in prison plus five years' deprivation of political rights.

He had been arrested on 27 September 1987 for taking part in a pro-independence demonstration, and was released in January 1988 after signing 'confessions' for committing 'political crimes' and acknowledging Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. Reported to have been arrested while attempting to flee the country, he was sentenced in November 1989 as 'accessory offender' for 'actively participating in criminal activities, engaging in espionage, and illegally crossing the national border' in connection with Drepung printing case. It was also reported that his sentence was in connection with his attempt to get information on violence in Lhasa out of the country.

Ngawang Gyalsten was released early in June 2004.