The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply worried over reports of Shiva Oli, a journalist in Doti district of Nepal, remaining missing after leaving his home with three men on July 25.
According to the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an IFJ affiliate, Oli left his house in the company of three men who approached him with the ostensible purpose of discussing a news report he recently filed documenting corruption allegations against them.
Shiva Oli’s wife filed a complaint with the local police, naming the three persons he went away with that night, the FNJ reports.
All three have reportedly been apprehended and questioned and, while acknowledging they left Shiva Oli’s home with him, continue to deny any knowledge of his current whereabouts.
Shiva Oli reportedly left the meeting after a while with the assurance that he would return, but never did, according to their account to police.
“In the context of the various difficulties journalists have faced in Nepal in recent months, we urge the authorities to immediately investigate this matter and ensure that Shiva Oli has not suffered from an act of violent retribution for his journalistic work”, said IFJ Asia-Pacific Director, Jacqueline Park.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide