Tendor returns to Greece

SFT’s Tendor is in Greece today to witness the lighting of the Beijing Torch first hand, and speak out as a free person, while China is engaged in a bloody crackdown in Tibet. Upon his arrival in Athens, he was immediately pulled aside by security officials, who knew full well who he was, and detained for awhile. Listen or read below for his account… (and stay tuned on this blog for more updates from Tendor)

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or read his account below:

It was really surreal to see that the long arm of China is flexing its muscle even as far as Greece. As soon as I got into line at the passport control at Athens airport, there were a few cops waiting to single me out and usher me into a room. They went through both of my bags, taking out even the smallest things, like the chagney (blessed grains from Nechung oracle) that my mom had stealthily put in my bags.

After the first few minutes, it was obvious that they knew that I knew that they knew. There was no pretending. They cut through the bull, “Are you alone?” “What will you gain by protesting the Chinese government?” “We support your cause.” “Where is your return ticket?” “Are you alone?” “How much cash are you carrying?” “Tell us who else is here with you?”

“No one, of course, no one.”

And then there was the trick question: “You said you’re alone. So if there are other Tibetans protesting in Olympia, that makes you a liar! Right?”

I said to the police, “The Chinese government is spreading its disease of oppression even in the free world. Greece is a free country with a great culture, and I admire that. That’s why I don’t want China to bring its blood-stained torch to the holy city of Olympia. China has blood on its hands – the blood of Tibetans who got killed as recently as today and yesterday for merely expressing their desire for freedom.”

They nodded and spoke to each other in Greek as one of the younger policemen – who seemed slightly nervous – finished combing my bags. There were about ten policemen in the room. I took some photos of the bag search on my mobile phone – I don’t know why (maybe just because they were telling me not to use my phone). One is attached here.

When the older policemen were in the other room watching my DVDs, the younger one stayed with me. I looked at his badge and asked his name. He quickly slid his badge into his sweater and said, “No name.” I said to him, “You have nothing to hide. You’re not guilty,” I said. “The Chinese government is guilty.”

After an hour and a half, they made me stand against the wall, took a few photos of me, and then let me go. On my way out of the security area, someone who had witness all of this patted my shoulder and said something I never expected to hear:

“Be strong.”

It made me witness firsthand the deep emotional support that free people everywhere feel for the Tibetan cause.

Tendor was in Greece on March 10 to light the Tibetan Freedom Torch. View our earlier coverage here and video here