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. China backs niche films about minority groups in hope of easing ethnic tensions 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 Qinghai airport police statement 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.. “He refused to cooperate with the police while carrying out their duties, acted against police advice and was eventually removed from the area.” Pema was then officially placed in administrative detention for five days before being taken to a local hospital where a “physical examination” showed he did not appear unfit to face detention. “Due to his resistance, his wrists were left with three handcuff markings,” the statement said, adding that he had been taken to a detention facility on Sunday. However, Pema complained that he was suffering chest pains and dizziness on Monday while in detention. He developed multiple physical conditions including dizziness, chest pain, finger numbness and was rushed to a hospital Online post by Dorjee Tsering, friend of Pema Tseden He was accompanied by two policemen to another hospital, along with his friends and family, and was found to be suffering from high blood pressure and hyperglycaemia, the statement said. Pema, 47, was admitted to hospital on the advice of doctors. Qinghai police had ordered Pema to complete the rest of his detention after his recovery, which he had agreed to, the police statement said. However, an online post by Pema’s friend, Dorjee Tsering, claimed Pema had been subjected to brutal and violent treatment by Qinghai police and interrogated over night after trying to pick up his bag. “He was detained on Saturday on the grounds of disturbing public order and developed multiple physical conditions including dizziness, chest pain, finger numbness and rushed to a hospital for treatment on Monday afternoon,” Dorjee said. During the medical examination on Monday, Pema’s body was found to have suffered multiple injuries and bruises, which were caused by the violent measures carried out the airport police, Dorjee’s post said. The Film Directors Guild of China later published an official online statement demanding that Xining airport authority disclose details about the incident at the airport involving Pema, including whether violent measures had been used during his detention. However, the statement was removed from the internet on Thursday.
