Nepal's former prime minister arrested

TT

Published 03.22

  

KP Sharma Oli in connection with a speech at the UN in 2024. Photo: Frank Franklin Ii/AP/TT

Nepal's former prime minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli has been arrested on Saturday, the country's police said.

The arrest comes less than a day after the country's new prime minister was sworn in.

Former prime minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli was arrested on Saturday morning along with former interior minister Ramesh Lekhak. The two politicians are suspected of involvement in the deadly crackdown on protesters last fall.

At least 77 people were killed in anti-corruption protests in the country in September, which began due to a short-term ban on social media but which triggered long-term anger over economic difficulties.

The country's new Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his government were sworn in on Friday, after Oli's government was overthrown in the uprising last year.