Former Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli cleared to travel as protest violence probes near conclusion |
Former Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been cleared to travel domestically and abroad after giving statements to two high-profile commissions investigating the violent protests that led to the collapse of his government last year. The decision to lift restrictions on Sharma comes as Nepal prepares for national elections amid lingering political tension, unresolved accountability questions, and deep public anger over corruption and state violence.
KP Sharma, who served as Nepal’s prime minister three times and remains chair of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), or UML, had faced travel restrictions following the September uprising that toppled his administration. The protests, initially sparked by a controversial government ban on social media platforms, rapidly escalated into a nationwide anti-corruption movement fueled by years of frustration over nepotism, economic mismanagement, and perceived authoritarian governance.
The unrest proved deadly. According to official figures, at least 77 people were killed during the protests, while more than 2,000 others were injured in clashes with security forces. The violence represented one of the gravest political crises Nepal has faced since the end of its civil war, raising serious concerns about democratic backsliding, abuse of power, and the militarization of internal security.
On January 4, KP Sharma gave statements to both the high-level judicial inquiry commission and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), marking a significant reversal from his earlier refusal to cooperate. Officials from both bodies confirmed that his testimony was recorded under established legal protocols.
Bigyan Raj Sharma, spokesperson for the judicial inquiry commission, said a senior official visited Sharma’s residence to record his statement. While declining to reveal details of the testimony, Sharma confirmed that Oli’s cooperation satisfied........