They would clearly sacrifice themselves to protect their new leader from ambush or attack.
"It's always the responsibility of a staff to protect their leader," he said.
"It's always the responsibility of a staff to protect their leader," the admiral declared.
The people, as well as another large group at Norbulingka, had come to protect their spiritual leader.
The guy wasn't trying to protect his fallen leader, only to escape.
"It's always the responsibility of a staff to protect their leader," Mr. Poindexter said at the time.
But Rikan's people were also there to protect their fallen leader.
There was an angry sound from the watching crowd, and the peasants surged forward to protect their leader.
"I think it's always the responsibility of a staff to protect their leader," the admiral testified.
As recently as last fall, Iraqis were moved into presidential palaces to help "protect" their leader.