Chinese authorities have sentenced two Tibetan monks to lengthy jail terms following their participation in regionwide protests in 2008 against rule by Beijing, according to a source inside Tibet.The two monks from Tashi Chokorling monastery, both named Tenzin Gyatso, were recently handed sentences of 13 and 15 years respectively.The older monk, 40, was sentenced to 15 years. He is detained in a prison in Lanzhou. The younger monk was sentenced to 13 years. He is only 24 and is detained in a prison in Dingxi.Tashi Chokorling monastery is located in the Chone county of Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu province.

In 2008, more than 300 monks out of the 500 monks in the monastery rose up against Chinese rule. All were taken into custody by the Chinese authorities.

Later, 254 of the monks were released after being detained for different lengths of time.Some were held for periods as short as 10 to 15 days, and others were held for five to six months.

Many were subjected to ill treatment, including severe torture and beatings, while in detention. All were badly clothed and fed.

The two monks recently sentenced were part of the group of 300 detained in 2008, the source said.