Nepal PM Baburam Bhattarai appeared in person in Supreme Court on Monday in connection with a 2004 murder case of a journalist.

Bhattarai was summoned on contempt of court charge for allegedly trying to obstruct investigation into the murder of Dekendra Thapa during the peak of the country’s civil war.

In his five-page written clarification the Prime Minister stated that he had not committed any contempt of court.

Bhattarai maintained that his opinions regarding the case were in line with the 2006 peace accord which stipulated settlement of all civil war cases through a truth and reconciliation commission.

Thapa was tortured and buried alive by Maoists cadres during the 1996-2006 unrest.