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Nepal SC upholds ‘bikini killer’ Sobhraj’s conviction

Nepal‘s Supreme Court on Friday rejected ‘bikini killer’ Charles Sobhraj’s appeal against his conviction in a murder case.

A division bench of Justices Ram Kumar Prasad Shah and Gauri Dhakal upheld the 20-year term for the notorious criminal, who has been linked to a series of backpacker killings of tourists across Asia.

This was the third time that the apex court has put off its final verdict in the high-profile case. The alleged international serial killer has been behind bars for almost seven years on a murder charge in Kathmandu.

Sobhraj, 66, is serving a 20-year life sentence for the murder of American backpacker Connie Joe Bronzich in 1975. The United States’ citizen had been stabbed repeatedly, burnt beyond recognition and her body dumped on the outskirts of the Nepalese capital.

Sobhraj, who is now a French national, was arrested in Kathmandu during his second visit here in 2003, and was convicted by the Kathmandu District Court in 2004. The judgment was later upheld by the Patan Appellate Court in 2005. He moved the apex court in 2006 challenging the lower courts’ verdicts.

Sobhraj was picked up from Kathmandu’s Royale Casino in 2003 on charges of travelling on a fake passport and later convicted for the murder of the backpacker.

Sobharj claims that he has not visited Nepal before 2003 and denies having committed any crime.

Born to a Vietnamese mother and an India father, he had previously been convicted in India and had served 21 years in prison for culpable homicide. After his release, he returned to live in France.

Sobhraj has another case pending against him in connection with the murder of a Canadian tourist Laurent Armound Carriere in the Bhaktapur district court.

His trial has attracted international media attention, particularly after he announced his engagement and marriage to Nepalese teenager Nihita Biswas in 2008, while inside prison.http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/jul/30/nepal-sc-upholds-bikini-killer-sobhrajs-conviction.htm

 

2 .JTMM issues ultimatum

JANAKPUR, JUL 30 – Rajan Mukti-led faction of Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) on Friday issued an ultimatum of 72 hours to Madhes-based party leaders to resign from their posts and participate in the Samyukta Madhes Mukti Aandolan.

Issuing a press release today, JTMM Chairman and Supreme Commander, Rajan Mukti has appealed to the Madhesi leaders not to support, assist, or protect any government that may be formed under the leadership of a Nepali speaking leader.

Physical actions will be taken against anyone who fails to comply with or goes against the terms of the ultimatum, the press release reads.

Physical actions will also be taken against the Madhes-based party leaders who participate in the “drama” of government formation that is going on in the Legislature-Parliament, JTMM has warned. http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/07/30/top-story/jtmm-issues-ultimatum/319500/

 

3. Maoists, NC turn down Khanal’s appeal to withdraw PM candidacy

KANTIPUR REPORT

KATHMANDU, JUL 30 – The UCPN (Maoist) and the Nepali Congress (NC) have turned down the appeal by CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal to withdraw the prime ministerial candidacy for forming a national consensus government on Friday.

The largest two parties in the Constituent Assembly (CA) vying for the prime minister’s post informed that they will make efforts to garner support in favour of their candidates rather that withdrawing the candidacy.

Maoist Spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said the party will initiate endeavors to form a consensus government if the prime ministerial candidate from NC Ram Chandra Poudel decides to withdraw his candidacy and support Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal for the prime minister’s post.

A consensus government can be formed and the country will find a way out of the current political deadlock if other political parties support the Maoists right now, Sharma added.

Meanwhile, NC Spokesperson Arjun Narsingh KC said withdrawing the prime ministerial candidacy after entering into the parliamentary procedure would be undemocratic.

An agreement can be forged under the current circumstances, KC added.

Khanal has appealed the Maoists and the NC to withdraw their prime ministerial candidacies earlier saying that a majority government will not solve the current issues of the nation. http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/07/30/top-story/maoists-nc-turn-down-khanals-appeal-to-withdraw-pm-candidacy/319482/

 

4.NC requests fringe parties to support Poudel for PM’s post

KATHMANDU, JUL 30 – Nepali Congress (NC) on Friday requested the fringe parties to support parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel from the party in the prime ministerial runoff scheduled for August 2.

The NC made such request to the CPN (ML), CPN (United) and Samajwadi Prajatantrik Party during a meeting this morning.

Emerging from the meeting, CPN (ML) General Secretary CP Mainali said he suggested the big three parties to move ahead forging consensus. He added, "We are ready to move ahead forging consensus under the leadership of Poudel."

CPN (United) Chairman Chandra Dev Joshi, Samajwadi Prajatantrik Party Chairman Prem Bahadur Singh, along with Mainali and NC leaders were present at the meeting held at NC’s parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar this morning.

The CPN (ML) has eight seats, CPN (United) has five seats and Samajwadi has one seat at the Constituent Assembly.

Meanwhile, the NC is due to prepare a written commitment letter concerning the demands put forth by the United Democratic Medhesi Front (UDMF).

NC leaders Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Poudel and Prakash Man Singh have been preparing the written commitment letter.http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/07/30/top-story/nc-requests-fringe-parties-to-support-poudel-for-pms-post/319481/

 

5. NC may sacrifice PM post for consensus: Sujata

BIRATNAGAR, JUL 30 – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala has indicated that her party Nepali Congress can withdraw from the prime ministerial race for the sake of national consensus.

Collaboration and consensus is the need of the hour at a time when the country has become the prison of indecision, she said talking to reporters at her residence in Morang this morning.

"The Congress has nothing to do with the prime minister post, it has only to do with the country and the people," she said. "Not a majority government, a consensus government is what needed now. The past 13 months of period has proved majority government can do deliver."

Two crucial points of the three-point signed among the three major parties—extension of Constituent Assembly deadline and resignation of the government—were already fulfilled, she said, adding that it is the turn of the Maoists to forge consensus.

"If the Maoist party comes up with an agreeable solution in the integration of its army combatants, all parties can accept Prachanda ji as the new prime minister," she said.

Asked about the UNMIN’s mandate, the deputy prime minister said all parties will discuss and reach a conclusion.http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/07/30/top-story/nc-may-sacrifice-pm-post-for-consensus-sujata/319479/

 

6. Ex king’s security incites wrath of scribes

BHAKTAPUR: Media persons of Bhaktapur and Kavre districts chanted slogans against former king Gyanendra Shah and his security at Bhangal, Chittapol VDC 7, Bhaktapur on Monday. Media persons accused the security of misbehaving with them when they were on the site to cover a story about the former king.

The incident occurred when former king Gyanendra was returning from the closing ceremony of the Shreemad Bhagwat Mahapuran Saptaha Gyan Mahayagya which was organised at Bhangal, Chittapol 7. Reporters on the site were asking him about the contemporary political situation of the country.

The security prevented them from getting close to the former King and manhandled them in their attempt to push them back.

As the security of former king was unable to control the crowd the Armed Police who were deployed as escorts intervened.

In the scuffle that ensued chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Kavre and correspondent of Nepal Television Kavre Bhola Thapa was injured.

The camera of Sushil Thapa was also damaged in the incident.

Issuing a joint press release the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Bhaktapur and Kavre chapters condemned the assault and misbehavior of the security personnel.

The Mahayagya was organised to build a Lateshwor Mahadev Mandir at Chittapol 7 and to upgrade Mahendra Secondary School to high school. The Yaga started on July 19. http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Ex+king%27s+security+incites+wrath+of+scribes&NewsID=251115

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