The Albany Gazette - Nepal protesters clash with police over politician's fraud charges

NYSE - LSE

RIO	0.41%	65.36	$
NGG	1.19%	68	$
AZN	0.31%	78.26	$
CMSC	-0.04%	24.78	$
RELX	-0.87%	48.17	$
GSK	-1.06%	38.55	$
BP	0.03%	31.33	$
RBGPF	100%	61.11	$
BTI	-2.52%	34.5	$
BCC	-0.32%	141.74	$
VOD	0.31%	9.76	$
SCS	-1.54%	13.01	$
RYCEF	-0.4%	7.42	$
JRI	0.53%	13.22	$
BCE	0.15%	33.54	$
CMSD	0.08%	25.04	$

Nepal protesters clash with police over politician's fraud charges

POLITICS 20.10.2024

Nepal protesters clash with police over politician's fraud charges / Photo: YUNISH GURUNG - AFP

Nepali police fired tear gas Sunday at thousands of protesters loyal to a former deputy premier once seen as a rising political star, as he appeared in court on charges his supporters say are politically motivated.

Text size:

Rabi Lamichhane faces charges of fraud and organised crime related to the alleged embezzlement of funds from a financial cooperative prior to his entry into politics, a case that has garnered national attention.

Lamichhane rejects the charges, which his angry supporters say were trumped up.

Lamichhane is well known for his career as a television host in the Himalayan republic, making his name as an anti-corruption crusader through aggressive interviews with public officials.

He shot to political power in November 2022 with his Rastriya Swatantra Party tapping into widespread discontent at Nepal's elderly political leadership, becoming the deputy premier and interior minister.

But he was sacked in January 2023, after Nepal's top court barred him from office for failing to regain citizenship after giving up his US passport.

He was arrested in the capital Kathmandu on Friday, and transferred to the city of Pokhara, where he was remanded in custody for a further six days, "for further investigation," Kaski District Court information officer Suraj Adhikari said.

Police said thousands of people took part in the protests Sunday, with baton-wielding officers blocking off areas around the district court and spraying crowds with water cannon and tear gas.

Protesters chanted slogans against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, claiming the charges against Lamichhane were politically motivated.

The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported that a parliamentary committee had accused Lamichhane of embezzling millions of rupees from multiple cooperatives while running the Gorkha Media Network, before his entry into politics.

"We have been supporting the investigation but this is a political vendetta to finish a new party that is working for the betterment of people," RSP party member Toshima Karki said.

"They think they can finish our party by attacking an individual, this is wrong," she added.

"We are doing a peaceful protest and we are committed to fight against this injustice."

(K.Jones--TAG)

Featured

Cuba girds for Hurricane Oscar with electricity supply still down

Cuba girded Sunday to be hit by Hurricane Oscar, with residents preparing for more chaos and misery as the country grapples with a nearly nationwide power outage that is in its third day.

Harris celebrates birthday at Georgia churches as Trump serves McDonald's

Kamala Harris turned 60 on Sunday in the final stretch of a knife-edge US election, making campaign stops at Black churches in Georgia as her 78-year-old opponent Donald Trump served fries at a Pennsylvania McDonald's in a bid to appeal to blue-collar voters.

Moldovans flock to vote in key tests on EU future

Moldovans voted on Sunday in a presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union, some troubled by fears of Russian meddling amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Tens of thousands rally in Georgia for EU ahead of pivotal vote

Tens of thousands of Georgians on Sunday staged a pro-Europe rally, days before parliamentary elections seen as a crucial test for the country's democracy and its bid for EU membership.