Former Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli, has been arrested over allegations of negligence related to the deaths of dozens of people during an anti-corruption protest led by the “Gen Z” generation last September. Officials confirmed that he was taken into custody on Saturday as part of an ongoing police investigation.
The arrest came just one day after Balen Shah, a former rapper turned politician, was sworn in as the country’s Prime Minister. Last week, a national investigation commission recommended legal action against Oli, accusing him of failing to take effective measures on the first day of the protests, when 19 demonstrators were killed.
In total, 76 people lost their lives during the two-day unrest in September, which ultimately forced Oli to step down from office.
Police spokesperson Om Adhikari said that Oli and a former home minister are currently being held at a police facility in Kathmandu and are expected to be presented before a court on Sunday, in accordance with Nepal’s working week. He added that the arrests were made following the recommendations of the investigation commission.
Oli, aged 74, has previously undergone two kidney transplants. According to witnesses, he was later transferred to a hospital from police custody for medical attention.
Oli’s lawyer, Tikaram Bhattarai, criticized the arrest as unnecessary and unjustified. He argued that there was no risk of his client fleeing or avoiding questioning, calling the detention unwarranted.
The public outrage over the protest deaths played a major role in the recent election victory of the party led by Balen Shah, which secured a decisive mandate.
Former Nepal PM Oli arrested over Gen Z protest killings
