China says imprisoned Tibetan lama died of heart failure

But Xinhua news agency said authorities had been quick to treat Delek after finding him “suffering respiratory failure”, though he subsequently died of a heart attack. He was declared dead about an hour later, it said.

His right to health care has been guaranteed since his imprisonment but “many times, (he) either refused to see doctors or take medicine, fluctuating his symptoms”, it said.

Delek, 65, was 13 years into a life sentence for terrorism and separatism, imposed following a trial observers said was deeply flawed, when authorities announced news of his death last weekend. They were not at all in support of his cremation which took place under strict Chinese surveillance.

Calls made by the European Union, United States, and global rights groups for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche are regrettably no longer necessary, as the prominent Tibetan monk has passed away from undisclosed causes at the age of 65.

Throughout his 13 years in prison, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche had consistently stated his innocence and in an unprecedented act of devotion and belief in his innocence.

His sister, Dolkar Lhamo, 52, and her 25-year-old daughter Nyima Lhamo were among the Tibetan protestors who were allegedly up to a hundred. His supporters say the charges were trumped up, and his family had complained last week it had been denied access to his death certificate and medical records. China has ruled Tibet since 1951.

Dharmshala: Tibetans living-in-exile held a large protest in Dharamsala on Saturday demanding an independent probe into the death of a monk, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who died in Chinese custody. These self-sacrificing monks have called for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama. Tibetans, however, have believed that Rinpoche was wrongfully arrested and convicted in 2002 because he was becoming a respected and popular champion of Tibetan interests which the Chinese Communist Party saw as a challenge to its authority. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has threatened foreign governments with strained relations for hosting him.

The police were from Litang, Delek’s hometown, the student group said.