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Beijing, Feb 8 (IANS) A court in a Tibetan region in northwest China Friday sentenced a man to 13 years in jail for inciting a monk to immolate himself. The people's court in Huangnan Tibetan region in Qinghai province convicted the 27-year-old man, Phagpa, of intentional homicide and inciting secession, Xinhua reported. Phagpa was also deprived of his political rights for two years. The court said the convict met Drolma Je, a monk at the Dowa monastery, in June-July 2012, and convinced him to immolate himself to achieve "freedom and independence for the Tibetan ethnic group". It said Phagpa told Drolma that "self-immolators sacrificed their lives for Tibetan freedom and independence and are ethnic heroes". He also said "self-immolating is good for the freedom and independence of the Tibetan ethnic group," the court said. In November 2012, Drolma checked into a hotel, and brought gas and other materials to immolate himself. However, a woman cousin learned of his attempt and dissuaded him from going ahead. Phagpa told the court he will not appeal. The court also found that Phagpa propagated ideas related to "Tibetan independence" during visits to the homes of other people in November 2012. Phagpa also led a demonstration in Dowa, chanting "Tibetan independence" slogans. After he was arrested, photos and video clips with inflammatory content were found on his computer, the court said. The court found that Phagpa's efforts to spread ideas related to "Tibetan independence" were intended to undermine national unity and inciting secession.
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