Delek, 65, was 13 years into a life sentence for terrorism and separatism, imposed following a trial observers said was deeply flawed, when authorities announced news of his death at the weekend. He was sentenced to death on charges of terror and incitement of separatism a few months later.
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Xinhua said that prisoners serving life sentences are not allowed medical parole.
He, however, maintained his innocence.
He died next day in a hospital in the Qinghai provincial capital Xining.
A woman from the Public Security Bureau in Dazhu confirmed that Tenzin Delek died Sunday. According to her, the officials failed to inform the cause of her brother’s death, adding to her suspicions.
Tulku Tenzin Delek who was a well known Tibetan spiritual teacher was recently cremated.
In 1987 he returned to China, where he worked to establish monasteries, health clinics, small schools and orphanages, rising in prominence.
Exiled Tibetan protesters shout slogans against China during a protest outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on July 17, 2015.
Human rights groups have said his relationship with Chinese officials took a turn for the worse when he rolled back attempts to clear forests and because of his support for the Dalai Lama, who is considered a separatist by the government.
Writing in a document left behind in a prayer book, and later discovered in his living quarters by his family, self-immolator Sonam Topgyal slams China’s “brutal and repressive policy aimed at eradicating and exterminating [Tibet’s] religion, customs, and cultural tradition”.
Following Rinpoche’s death, Tibetans from Rinpoche’s hometown gathered in Honglong Town, Yajiang County of Kardze Prefecture in today’s Sichuan Province (Nyagchu, Lithang in the traditional Tibetan province of Kham) and demanded the authorities to hand over his body so that they can perform proper Buddhist traditional funeral rituals.
Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s sister and her daughter were taken away by police at 8am on Friday in the southwestern city of Chengdu, Students for a Free Tibet said, citing Geshe Nyima, Delek’s student and cousin.
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Rights groups said the circumstances of his death remained unclear.
