The Film Directors Guild of China has raised its concerns after a prominent Tibetan director was hospitalized and injured after being detained by police in northwestern China.

The director, identified as Pema Tseden, was in custody of Chinese police officials since Saturday at the airport in Xining. He flew there from Beijing and, during his detention, Tseden displayed health problems. This then led to him being hospitalized on Monday evening.

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Tseden is known for work such as Tharlo and one of the producers who is working with the renowned director said that security officers used force when they detained the director.

Sonam, the producer, did clarify that he does not believe the director was beaten up when he was in custody of the Chinese officials. Sonam added, "They grabbed him by the hair, handcuffed him behind his back and dragged him to the station."

Accordingly, Tseden was taken by police officials after he re-entered the airport, because he was to retrieve a forgotten bag. He was confronted by airport employees, who said that he should not hae gotten in again, leading to the staff calling the police. Tseden was then ordered to serve five days of detention because he disturbed public order.

The Xining airport issued a statement regarding the matter. They said that Tseden refused to leave the baggage claim area, despite repeated orders. However, Sonam argued that the director decided to leave when he realized he could not claim his forgotten bag but was blocked by staff.

Police reportedly asked the director to sign a confession form admitting that he disturbed the social order. He refused, and one officer allegedly called him disobedient.

Tseden reportedly had three cuts from the handcuffs digging into his skin. He also suffered from high blood sugar, high blood pressure, headaches, and chest pain.

The Film Directors Guild of China released a statement demanding answers from the police. The statement reads: "We call on the related departments to quickly respond to society's concerns and make the whole case public, including the reason for the enforcement methods used by the police and whether their procedures were within the rules, whether there are questions of the use of violence or excessive enforcement."

Tseden has studied at the Beijing Film Academy and is known for films that strive to depict the reality of modern life for Tibetans. 

TagsFilm Directors Guild of China, director, Tibetan director, Pema Tseden, detained, Xining airport, china, Police officials