Tenzin Delek Rinpoche explains his why he believes he was arrested and maintains his innocence (from January 2003, whilst awaiting appeal hearing):

"Whatever [the authorities] do and say, I am completely innocent… I was wrongly accused because I have always been sincere and devoted to the interests and well-being of Tibetans. The Chinese did not like what I did and what I said. That is the only reason why I was arrested… I have always said we should not raise our hands at others. It is sinful… I have neither distributed letters or pamphlets nor planned bombs secretly. I have never even thought of such things and I have no intention to hurt others."

Lochoe Drime, a senior disciple of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, has said of his teacher:

“Our teacher Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was a champion of people’s cause. He was a great social activist. For his social services he often clashed with local Chinese authorities who view him as a challenge to their authority. Trulku has often been a target of their resentment."

On the arrest of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, Lochoe Drime said:

"It is totally false to say that Tenzin Delek was behind the bomb blast that occurred in April 2002. It is a fabricated accusation... For his continuous efforts to preserve Tibetan culture and identity through every means, [he] has achieved tremendous respect... Such baseless and cruel allegation against him and subsequent sentencing is a direct assault on the Tibetan people. He carried out his social work through generous offerings and donations from his followers, devotees and supporters."

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche talking about the type of harassment he received from the authorities (recorded in June 2000):

“Recently, I was called to the Religious Affairs Bureau and the United Front Work Department… They told me, “You cannot have photos of the 14th Dalai Lama, the young Panchen Lama, or pictures of yourself.” And they said, “The pictures are getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger, and you cannot do that. And you cannot have a lama’s title.” I told them that… I did not need the title of lama; I did not need the title of monk, but I did need the rights of a human being.”

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