Dhondup Wangchen makes a pro-Dalai film, lands in jail

Tibetan film maker Dhondup Wangchen

'Leaving Fear Behind' a film that Chinese governmnt sees as pro-Dalai Lama, has landed its Tibetan maker Dhondup Wangchen in jail. He produced the film along with his friend, monk Golog Jigme shortly before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

After a hush hush trail, a Xining Court sentenced Dhondup (36) to  a six-year term on December 28, according to Dharmasala based Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ). He was arrested in March 2008. He was not allowed outside legal help.

The film documents Tibetan people’s dissatisfaction about China’s policies, current situation inside Tibet, and the Tibetan people’s call for the return of the exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama.

Dhondup's wife, who is living in exile in India, said in a statement, 'My children and I feel desperate about the prospect of not being able to see him for so many years. We call on the Chinese authorities to show humanity by releasing him. My husband is not a criminal, he just tried to show the truth'.

Dhondup hails from the western Qinghai province. Just before he started his documentary, his family moved to India for their safety. That was in 2006. He interviewed more than 100 poor commoners by trekking across Tibet.