In November 2014, thirty-year-old Dolma Tso was denied access to her family and lawyer while in court in Chengdu (Sichuan Province in Southwest China). On December 29, 2015, and again on January 4, 2016, Dolma's relatives received news asking for consent for Dolma to undergo a medical procedure for an alleged stomach illness. However, early in December 2014, Dolma sent her family a letter that states that she has no health problems, but that she is worried about her safety. The letter therefore called for action without Dolma's consent, given that there was a lack of consistency in the documents signed by Dolma.

In November 2014, Dolma was sentenced to three year sin prison and a further three years' deprivation of political rights, while being in the Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. She was charged with "intentional homicide" after being caught attempting to move the body of her neighbor Kunchok Tsetenma. Kunchock set himself alight on December 3, 2013. The Chinese authorities are preventing the self-immolated body from being returned, and Dolma is denied her ability to bereave.

Dolma spent 11 months in custody, where she was repeatedly harassed by the police. This harassment included tearing her earlobes, piercing a sharp pencil to the wrist and even shaving her hair. During her detention, Dolma remained shackled in handcuffs, denied any visitors, letters, money, or food.