KATHMANDU: Police in Nepal on Sunday fired tear gas and used water cannons at thousands of protesters faithful to a former deputy premier as he appeared in court on charges his supporters say are politically motivated.
Rabi Lamichhane, once a rising political star, faces charges of fraud and organized crime pertaining to the alleged embezzlement of funds from a financial cooperative before his entry into politics.
The politician dismissed the charges, which his angry supporters say were trumped up.
Lamichhane is well known for his career as a television host in the landlocked country making his name as an anti-corruption crusader through aggressive interviews.
He rose to political power in November 2022 with his Rastriya Swatantra Party tapping into widespread, becoming the deputy premier and interior minister.
But he was dismissed in January 2023, after Nepal’s top court stopped him from office for failing to regain citizenship after relinquishing his US citizenship.
The politician was arrested in Kathmandu on Friday and moved to the city of Pokhara, where he remains in custody. According to police thousands of people took part in the protests on Sunday.
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Protesters were chanting slogans against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, saying the charges against Lamichhane were politically motivated.
“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.
