New York City - Tibetan Fulbright Scholar Ngawang Choephel was released from prison inside of Tibet on Friday after sustained efforts on his behalf by human rights advocates, Tibetans and supporters around the world. China unexpectedly released the former Middlebury College student on medical parole after he had served six and a half years of his 18-year sentence. Ngawang is currently in Washington, D.C. where he is resting and receiving medical attention.

Ngawang Choephel was detained inside of Tibet in September 1995 while attempting to document traditional Tibetan music and dance. He was later convicted of espionage and counterrevolutionary activities and sentenced to 18-years of hard labor. Tibetans and supporters believe Choephel was singled out simply for daring to underscore the importance of the survival of Tibetan culture, rather than for any political activities.

"Ngawang's release has been a long time coming," said John Hocevar, Executive Director of Students for a Free Tibet (SFT). "The fact that he is now safe and sound can be directly attributed to the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have petitioned the Chinese government for his freedom. This reaffirms our belief that every fax, every e-mail and every letter of protest counts."

Students for a Free Tibet will continue its efforts on behalf of the hundreds of Tibetan prisoners who still suffer for their opposition to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The vast majority have been arrested simply for participating in nonviolent protest. Many are Buddhist monks and nuns, often under the age of 18.

SFT's Projects Coordinator, Lhadon Tethong, applauded the U.S. State Department and members of the U.S. House of Representatives for their efforts to secure Ngawang's release and called on them to take further steps to help the Tibetan people regain their freedom. "No Tibetan will ever be truly free until Tibet itself is free. Unless we have control over our own political destiny, Tibetans will remain under risk of death or imprisonment simply for being Tibetan."

Students for a Free Tibet and the U.S. Tibet Committee work in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. A chapter-based network of more than 600 schools worldwide, SFT campaigns for Tibet's fundamental right to political freedom through education, grassroots organizing, and nonviolent direct action.