Nepalese rights activists oppose charging of former Prime Minister News
Nepalese rights activists oppose charging of former Prime Minister

[JURIST] Nepalese political leaders and rights activists Friday condemned the bringing of corruption charges [JURIST report] against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, with the head of Nepal's Informal Sector Service Center [advocacy website] calling the royal anti-graft commission a "kangaroo court." The commission, whose members are appointed by the current monarch, has the power to arrest, investigate charges, and rule on cases. Deuba was arrested nine days ago [JURIST report] just as King Gyanendra [BBC profile] put an end to the declared state of emergency in the country. Deuba has refused to testify in front of the commission, accusing it of attempting to prosecute all those opposed to King Gyanendra's February governmental takeover [JURIST report], and has denied all wrongdoing. AFP has more.