Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet welcomes the release of Geshe Sonam Phuntsok. According to an information received from Tibet Geshe Sonam Phuntsok was released from Chengdu, prison on 22 Oct and was handed over Kardze Police. He arrived to his home on 24 Oct 2004.

Geshe Sonam Phuntsok was arrested on the night of 25 Oct 1999 by 20 Public Security Bureau (PSB) from his retreat at Kalu Retreat Center. His assistant Sonam and Akya Tsering were also arrested from Dhargye monastery. He was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment on the charge of "inciting splittist activities among the masses, traveling to India on an illegal document on an illegal procured from Lhasa to seek an audience with Dalai Lama and for taking photograph with him, illegally conducting religious ceremonies on several occasion with Kardze County, and for conducting long life prayer ceremony for Dalai Lama in Rongbatsang." (TCHRD 04 Annual Report,pp 45).

During his imprisonment, a serious concern was raised to his deteriorating health condition and appeal was made for his early release on medical ground. His arrest was considered as a part of targeting high and influential Buddhist Lamas to curbed religious freedom.

Despite his release, Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet remained concern about his health problem, and also restrictions on his freedom of movements.