Ex-prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former interior minister Ramesh Lekhak have been released from custody after questioning for their alleged role in a deadly 2025 crackdown on protesters.
“Both former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and the former home minister have been released today on the condition that they will present themselves to the police when required,” said a Kathmandu Police spokesperson.
Neither man has been formally charged, and both deny responsibility for the violence.
The arrests came after an inquiry commission recommended prosecuting Oli – a four-time prime minister – and other officials for failing to stop security forces from opening fire on demonstrators.
The commission’s report said statements given by the two men suggesting they did not know about the violence were part of a bid to shift responsibility and amounted to “criminal negligence”.
Oli, 74, was taken to hospital soon after his arrest for what police described as a procedural check-up, adding that he suffers from heart and kidney problems.
Oli’s CPN-UML party has described the arrests as “a vengeful act” and called for protests. — AFP
