Pro-Madhesi Canadian citizen arrested in Nepal for provocative tweets | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Pro-Madhesi Canadian citizen arrested in Nepal for provocative tweets

PTI | By, Kathmandu
May 02, 2016 10:39 PM IST

Robert Penner was arrested from Lalitpur on a request from the department of immigration (DoI), Nepalease media reported.

A Canadian national, who backed the Madhesi movement, was arrested on Monday by Nepal Police for allegedly posting provocative and anti-national comments on social media and visa violations.

Robert Penner was arrested from Lalitpur on a request from the department of immigration (DoI), Nepalease media reported.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

DoI director-general Kedar Neupane said Penner was arrested to probe his posts on social media which are “liable to incite” social disharmony in the nation.

Penner had obtained working visa for a sprout technology company, which was already dissolved in 2012, but worked for Cloud Factory, a foreign outsourcing company, according to the DoI.

Penner is also accused of holding multiple visas and overstaying.

“He obtained visa for working at an IT company but he was found engaged in making provocative statements that may jeopardise national integrity,” said Neupane, adding, “foreigners are not allowed to engage in such activities.”

The report said immigration laws bar any foreign national from expressing public comments on internal politics of the host nation.

A source at the DoI told MyRepublica that they received complaints that Penner had been engaging in activities that could harm Nepal’s national integrity.

“We had to arrest him due to his suspicious activities and for misusing his visa,” said the source.

Penner has previously tweeted in favour of the Madhes movement. He had also written controversial tweets about the arrest of journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, MyRepublica reported.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian origin, have been demanding that Nepal’s Constitution be amended to include their concerns over inadequate political representation and redrawing of federal boundaries.

They had enforced months-long blockade of Nepal’s all trading points with India, creating huge shortage of essential commodities in the country.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On