UML termed the arrest of former Finance Minister Vishnu Paudel in Nepal as political vendetta.

Kathmandu. CPN UML has strongly condemned the arrest of party vice president Vishnu Paudel, terming it politically motivated, vindictive and illegal. Former Finance Minister Vishnu Paudel was arrested from Surkhet district on Monday on money laundering charges. The court has also given permission to keep him in custody for seven days for further investigation.

The ninth meeting of the party secretariat held on Wednesday demanded his unconditional and immediate release. The meeting also called upon party members and supporters across the country to launch political resistance and public awareness campaigns against the alleged authoritarian, vindictive and discriminatory use of the state machinery. In a statement issued after the meeting, UML said it would challenge the arrest at both political and legal levels. The party alleges that the arrests were made without any solid facts or evidence and were only aimed at political vendetta.

The party also disagreed with the special court’s decision allowing Paudel’s detention during the investigation period. The party says that this order is not in accordance with the principles of justice. In the meeting, party workers and common citizens standing in favor of justice were also appealed to join the countrywide campaign. The party says that this campaign will be run to protest against the arbitrary and discriminatory steps being taken by the state agencies.