Former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli was arrested in Nepal on Saturday, according to multiple reports. Former Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak was also arrested, as reported by major media. Oli and Lekhak will face court on Sunday, according to police spokesperson Om Adhikari. Oli, 74, who is suffering from kidney problems, was taken back to the hospital after his arrest. The specific charges, if any, that have been formally filed against them remain unclear, and Oli's current health status and its potential impact on legal proceedings are unknown.
Police are investigating whether Oli was negligent in failing to prevent dozens of deaths during protests that broke out in September last year, Reuters reported. Seventy-six people died in September last year when authorities responded harshly to anti-corruption protests. The protests were sparked when Oli's government decided to block access to unregistered social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X. The protests led to the block being lifted, the prime minister's resignation, and the dissolution of the government. The panel investigating the September violence found Oli and former Interior Minister Lekhak responsible for not taking action to stop police harsh actions in time. What evidence the panel has to support this finding is not publicly detailed, and it is uncertain if further arrests or investigations into other officials will occur.
Oli's supporters started protests in Kathmandu and clashed with police after the arrest. Witnesses reported police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protest, according to Reuters. At least one person was reportedly injured in the situation. Oli's party promised more protests for Sunday. Sudan Gurung, the current interior minister, stated on social media that this is the beginning of justice and the country is now taking a new direction.
Roshan was sent to the custody of a relative, with the condition that he come when the police want him.
Oli's lawyer said the former prime minister's arrest was illegal. Oli's Communist Party of Nepal described the arrest as retaliation and demanded his immediate release. Bijay Shah, spokesperson of the Gen Z movement, urged in an official statement to protect freedom of expression and not move towards authoritarianism, adding that if equal standards are adopted, there should be fair and impartial investigation against everyone.
Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper, was elected as Nepal's new prime minister in elections held earlier this month, according to multiple reports. Shah was sworn in on Friday. Shah recommended to the panel investigating the protest violence that Oli should be charged with negligence. How Shah's government will balance free speech concerns with legal actions against online abuse remains to be seen.
In a related case, YouTuber Roshan Pokharel was arrested on April 9 for allegedly using abusive language against Prime Minister Balendra Shah and other political leaders on his YouTube channel Hades. Pokharel was released on Sunday and handed over to the custody of his grandmother. Authorities claimed the decision to release Pokharel was made after his health condition worsened during detention, according to local reports. According to The Independent - Main, Anish Karki, a district police superintendent, described that Pokharel was sent to the custody of a relative, with the condition that he come when the police want him. Pokharel's arrest triggered backlash against the prime minister over his new government's bid to suppress free speech. The previous government had allegedly sought to muzzle traditional newspapers and broadcasters and extended clampdowns to online news and social media.