KATHMANDU, NEPAL: Former Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and his home minister, Ramesh Lekhak, were arrested on Saturday in connection with the deaths of dozens of people during Gen Z anti-corruption protests last September.
The arrests came a day after rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah was sworn in as the new prime minister and following recommendations from a Nepali investigation panel that Oli and Lekhak should face prosecution for negligence.
The protests lasted two days and resulted in 76 deaths, including at least 19 protesters on the first day. The unrest forced Oli to resign at the time.
Police spokesman Om Adhikari said both Oli, 74, and Lekhak were being held at the Kathmandu Police Office and would be produced in court on Sunday, a working day in Nepal. Oli, who has undergone two kidney transplants in the past, was later transferred to a hospital from the police office, witnesses said.
Oli’s lawyer, Tikaram Bhattarai, told Reuters that the arrest was unnecessary. “They have said it is for investigation. It is illegal and improper because there is no risk of him fleeing or avoiding questioning,” he said.
The investigation panel held Oli responsible for failing to act to stop the firing that led to multiple deaths during the protests.
The deaths during the demonstrations contributed to widespread public anger, which helped Balendra Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party win a landslide election this month.
Comments from Lekhak and his lawyer were not immediately available.
