KATHMANDU: Recent data from the Police Headquarters has revealed that 131 foreign nationals were arrested in Nepal over the past year for various criminal activities.

Among these arrests, citizens of China constitute the highest number, with 42 individuals apprehended. Other notable figures include 12 citizens each from the United States and Sri Lanka, arrested for various crimes during the same period.

The arrests encompass a wide range of offenses, with 9 individuals detained for fraud, 2 for illegal currency, 5 for indecent behavior, 2 for extortion, 5 for organized crime, and 8 for involvement in illegal drug activities.

The data also reflects the arrest of foreign nationals from Bangladesh, France, Thailand, Britain, South Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Australia, Bhutan, Belarus, Germany, Turkey, South Africa, Sudan, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Argentina, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Uganda, Kenya, Moldova, Yemen, and the Czech Republic. Each of these countries has at least one citizen arrested for committing crimes in Nepal during the specified period.

Comparatively, the preceding financial year recorded 28 foreign nationals arrested, while the following year saw a total of 77 foreign nationals detained.

As of June, the Prison Management Department reported a total of 1,381 foreign prisoners in Nepalese jails. Among the total inmate population, which stands at 27,493, approximately 26,112 are Nepali citizens, while 15,842 are convicts and 11,651 are detainees.

The prison population includes 15,063 male and 779 female inmates, along with 10,886 male and 765 female detainees. Additionally, the juvenile correctional home houses 585 male inmates, 20 female inmates, 500 inmate boys, and 22 inmate girls.

Among the foreign nationals imprisoned in Nepal, Indian citizens are among the most significant representation.