Tibetan film director held in detention after Chinese airport scuffle faced ‘brutal and violent treatment’ from police
An award-winning Tibetan film director was placed in administrative detention for five days by Chinese airport police after being accused of disturbing public order following a scuffle.
However, friends of Pema Tseden, who has won numerous prizes, including the “Best Narrative Feature” for his film Khyi rgan, or “Old Dog”, at the Brooklyn Film Festival in 2012, claimed that he had been subjected to “brutal and violent” treatment by police in Qinghai province, and had been forced to endure a night-time interrogation.
The scuffle reportedly broke out at Xining Caojiabao Airport on Friday evening after Pema tried to retrieve his hand-carry luggage, which he had left on a trolley after his flight from Beijing to the regional capital of Qinghai province.
A statement released by Qinghai police said Pema was seen walking into a restricted area of the airport, against the advice of security staff, who then called for the help of police.
[Pema Tseden] refused to cooperate with the police ... Due to his resistance, his wrists were left with three handcuff markings
Three policemen arrived and told Pema that the bag should be retrieved by airport staff, but “Pema would not do as he was asked or leave the restricted zone and continued to scream and shout”, the statement said..