Nepal's former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli has been arrested, according to the country's police. The arrest occurred on Saturday morning, less than a day after the country's new prime minister was sworn in.
Oli was reportedly arrested alongside former Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Both politicians are suspected of involvement in the deadly crackdown on protesters last autumn. According to reports, at least 77 people died during protests against corruption in September. The protests began due to a temporary ban on social media but escalated into widespread anger over economic difficulties.
The arrests come following the swearing-in of new Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his government on Friday. Oli's government was reportedly toppled in connection with last year's uprising. The timing of the arrests, occurring so soon after the new government took office, suggests a significant political shift in Nepal's leadership.