KATHMANDU: The government has released YouTuber Roshan Pokhrel following widespread criticism, citing health concerns as the reason for his release.
Pokhrel had been arrested on charges of using abusive and objectionable language against Prime Minister Balen Shah. He was taken into custody by police in Panchthar from Phalgunanda Rural Municipality and remanded for investigation by the court.
However, police released him on Sunday on general recognizance after his health reportedly deteriorated while in custody.
According to the District Police Office Panchthar, Pokhrel was handed over to his grandmother and uncle after being taken into custody last Thursday. He had been booked under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063, and the District Court Panchthar had granted a 10-day remand for investigation.
Police Inspector Ramchandra Sah said the decision to release him was made after his health condition worsened during detention. Despite his release, authorities confirmed that legal proceedings against him will continue.
Pokhrel’s arrest had drawn criticism, including from Gen-Z Movement Nepal, which condemned the move as unjust and against freedom of expression.
Activists, including Tanuja Pandey and Bhawana Raut, had strongly criticized the government’s action. The movement’s spokesperson Bijay Shah stated that arresting an individual solely for expression was inappropriate and undermined democratic values.
The group emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and warned that criminalizing opinions could weaken democracy. It had demanded Pokhrel’s immediate release and urged authorities to respect citizens’ right to speak.
Following mounting pressure and public criticism, the government ultimately released Pokhrel, though the case against him remains under investigation.
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