Rabi Lamichhane (C), Nepal's ex-deputy prime minister, addressed the media upon appearing in the Kaski district court after his arrest on fraud and organized crime charges in Pokhara on Sunday. AFP
Nepali police used tear gas against thousands of protesters who support Rabi Lamichhane, a former deputy premier once considered a rising political star, as he appeared in court on allegations that his supporters claim are politically motivated. Lamichhane faces charges of fraud and organized crime linked to the alleged misappropriation of funds from a financial cooperative before he entered politics, a case that has drawn national attention. Lamichhane denies the charges, which his supporters vehemently argue are fabricated.
Lamichhane is widely recognized for his career as a television host in the Himalayan nation, where he gained fame as an anti-corruption advocate through his aggressive interviews with public officials. He rose to political prominence in November 2022 with his Rastriya Swatantra Party, which capitalized on widespread dissatisfaction with Nepal's aging political leadership, making him deputy premier and interior minister. However, he was dismissed in January 2023 after Nepal's Supreme Court disqualified him from office for failing to regain citizenship after renouncing his US passport.
He was arrested in Kathmandu on Friday and transferred to Pokhara, where he was remanded in custody for an additional six days "for further investigation," according to Kaski District Court information officer Suraj Adhikari. Police reported that thousands of people participated in the protests on Sunday, with officers using batons, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Protesters chanted slogans against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, alleging that 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 several cooperatives while managing the Gorkha Media Network before his political career. "We have been supporting the investigation, but this is a political vendetta to destroy a new party that is working for the betterment of people," said RSP party member Toshima Karki. "They believe they can finish our party by targeting an individual, which is wrong," she added. "We are conducting a peaceful protest and are committed to fighting against this injustice."
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