Nepali national Amrit Jha safe in Iranian custody, Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that 33-year-old Nepali citizen Amrit Jha, who is under the control of the Iranian government, is safe.

During a press conference held on Friday, the Ministry informed that he was arrested before the conflict between Iran, Iraq, and the United States began. The Ministry stated that he is currently in a local prison and a case is ongoing against him in the district court.

Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri stated that due to the ongoing legal proceedings, there is little that can be done immediately. According to him, a local lawyer has already visited Jha.

He also clarified that his case is not related to the current conflict. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing to gather more information and remains in contact with the relevant parties.

Jha, from Triyuga Municipality-11, Udayapur district, was employed at the Black Sea Marine L.L.C company in Iran. He was arrested by the Iranian military at Bandar Abbas while returning from transporting fuel from Dubai to Iran. The information regarding his arrest was reported to the Ministry by Amrit's sister, Puja Jha.

According to the complaint filed by Amrit's family at the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is claimed that Amrit is being held in the Bandar Abbas prison.

Amrit Jha's relatives had met with the then Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma and Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai. During the meeting, Amrit's brother-in-law, Rajesh Kumar Jha, claimed that Jha was taken into custody due to the complex situation in the region following the tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States while he was returning from transporting oil.

Secretary Rai had assured the family that efforts were being made through all possible channels for Amrit's release. He noted that the tension between Israel, America, and Iran has not subsided and things are not progressing as expected, but they are continuing their efforts and will provide updates if any information is received.

Amrit Jha's permanent address is Mahottari. Amrit's father had moved to Udayapur for work and later built a house and settled there. Although his permanent address is Mahottari, the entire family is currently residing in Udayapur.