He was charged with separatism after speaking to the New York Times about Tibetan culture.
A Tibetan activist has gone on trial in China for separatism, after he spoke to the New York Times about his efforts to preserve the Tibetan language.
Tashi Wangchuk pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, in a trial rights groups have called „ludicrously unjust“.
The 32-year-old has been in detention since January 2016, shortly after he appeared in the New York Times documentary.
His lawyers say he could face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty.
In the video, Mr Tashi said Tibetan culture was being destroyed in China.
He attempted to file a lawsuit in Beijing against local officials in his hometown, Yushu, saying they were sidelining the Tibetan language in favour of Mandarin in schools.
The documentary was used as a key piece of evidence by the prosecution, Mr Tashi’s lawyer, Liang Xiaojun, told reporters.
