Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Charred body of Kunchok Tenzin

DHARAMSHALA, March 29: A monk from Mogri Monastery in Luchu in Eastern Tibet has set himself on fire in an apparent protest against China’s continuing occupation of Tibet.

“Kunchok Tenzin set himself ablaze at a road intersection near his monastery at 7pm (local time) on Tuesday, March 26,” said Kanyag Tsering of Dharamsala-based Kirti Monastery, who closely monitors self-immolations inside Tibet. Twenty-eight-year-old Tenzin died in his fiery protest.

Jeffery Koo, Jr. says that the Taipei High Court should reject a statement he gave against former President Chen Shui-bian as it was false and obtained from Koo under threat of imprisonment. Koo made his statement on March 26 in a pre-trial hearing on evidence presented against him by the Special Investigation Division of the Supreme Prosecutors Office.

Chen Shu-bian was president of the Republic of China in-exile from 2000 to 2008 and has been imprisoned under harsh conditions for purported corruption since shortly after leaving office. Jeffery Koo, Jr., the chief witness against Chen, alleged a large campaign donation was actually a bribe. Chen was convicted and given a lengthy prison sentence following a controversial trial largely on the strength of Koo’s statement.