Nepal's Ex-PM Oli Arrested Over Deadly Protest Crackdown

Nepal's former prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, has been taken into custody as authorities investigate his alleged role in the deadly crackdown on anti-corruption protests that swept the country last September. The protests, led by the Gen Z population, began in response to a brief social media ban and quickly escalated into a wider uprising against government corruption and mismanagement.

According to a panel that investigated the violence, at least 77 people were killed as police moved to suppress the massive demonstrations in Kathmandu and other cities across Nepal. This week, the panel recommended that Oli, who served as Nepal's prime minister at the time, be prosecuted for failing to prevent the deadly crackdown on the youth-led protests.

Oli, 74, has denied any wrongdoing, but he was taken into custody on Saturday as the investigation into his potential negligence moves forward. The former prime minister's arrest marks a dramatic turn in the aftermath of the September 2025 protests, which shook Nepal's government and exposed deep public anger over corruption and a lack of economic opportunity, especially among the country's youth.

The protests began after the government briefly banned several popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, in an attempt to curb the spread of misinformation. However, the move backfired, fueling further outrage and bringing thousands of young Nepalis into the streets to demand accountability and reform.

As the demonstrations grew in size and intensity, security forces moved to violently suppress the crowds, opening fire and using tear gas and rubber bullets. The crackdown drew widespread international condemnation, with human rights groups accusing the government of using excessive force against the peaceful protesters.

In the aftermath, the Nepali government launched an investigation into the events, ultimately concluding that Oli and other senior officials had failed to take adequate steps to prevent the deadly violence. The panel's recommendation to prosecute the former prime minister is seen as a significant step towards holding those responsible accountable.

Nepal's current government, led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has vowed to pursue justice for the victims of the 2025 protests. In a statement, Dahal said that the