Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli was arrested Saturday over allegations of negligence during a deadly protest crackdown last September. The arrests follow recommendations from an investigative panel that called for up to 10 years in prison for both Oli and his home minister, Ramesh Lekhak.
Key Takeaways
Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli was arrested over allegations of negligence during a deadly protest crackdown last September that killed at least 76 people. The arrests follow recommendations from an investigative panel for up to 10 years in prison for both Oli and his home minister, Ramesh Lekhak.
- Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli arrested over protest deaths
- Investigative panel recommends up to 10 years in prison for Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak
- Protests began as demonstrations against a government-imposed social media ban but escalated into broader anti-corruption rallies
- At least 76 people were killed over two days of violence, with many protesters shot by police
- Arrests come one day after Balendra Shah was sworn in as Nepal’s new prime minister
The protests began as demonstrations against a government-imposed social media ban but quickly escalated into broader anti-corruption rallies fueled by economic hardship. At least 76 people were killed over two days of violence, with many protesters shot by police. The crackdown led to widespread unrest across the country, including attacks on parliament buildings and government offices.
Oli was taken into custody from his residence early Saturday morning. Images later showed him walking into a hospital surrounded by police officers. Lekhak was also detained in Bhaktapur, according to Janak Bhatta, Lekhak's personal secretary. The arrests come just one day after Balen Shah, a rapper-turned-politician, was sworn in as Nepal’s new prime minister following elections triggered by the crisis.
The investigative panel's report suggests that while there was no direct order to shoot protesters, officials failed to control the violence. Oli and Lekhak have not yet been formally charged. Oli's lawyers argue his detention is unwarranted at this stage of the investigation, while new Home Minister Sudan Gurung welcomed the arrests on social media.
Oli’s administration deployed the Nepali Army after violence erupted as police employed brutal tactics to quell the initial rallies, including shooting people in their teens and early 20s. The protests spread the day after police shot protesters, with government offices set on fire, resulting in more deaths and Oli's resignation.
The arrests triggered anger among Oli’s supporters, with hundreds gathering near the prime minister’s office to protest and demand his immediate release. They chanted slogans against the new government, burned tires, and scuffled with riot police who used batons to clear the road blocked by protesters. No major injuries were reported, and police said they detained seven protesters.
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