Sandeep Lamichhane arrested by police at airport on rape charges

Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been taken into custody on his return to Kathmandu from Doha, following an arrest warrant being issued against him in an alleged rape case.

Lamichhane, who has played for the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League in Australia, returned to Nepal and was immediately arrested on Thursday, nearly a month after a court issued a warrant over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl.

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Dinesh Raj Mainali, a spokesman for Kathmandu district police, told AFP that Lamichhane was taken into custody when he landed.

Wearing a white hoodie, black cap and black mask, the 22-year-old was swiftly escorted out of Kathmandu airport to a police van waiting outside.

Lamichhane had earlier posted on his Facebook page that he was returning home to fight the accusations.

"I will fully cooperate in all stages of investigation and will fight (the) legal battle to prove my innocence. Let the justice prevail," Lamichhane posted.

"I know I am facing a difficult time of conspiracy and wrongful allegation and the ramification of its effect is something unimaginable.

"I will soon seek legal support against wrongful prosecution and allegation made against me and I am sure I will get the justice and will return to the cricket ground soon..."

Sandeep Lamichhane become fan favourite in Australia

The 22-year-old has become the face of cricket in Nepal, being the only player from the Himalayan country to feature in prominent Twenty20 leagues across the world.

The spinner fast became a fan favourite in Australia while playing for the Melbourne Stars in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 BBL seasons.

He then joined the Hobart Hurricanes and featured in the last two editions of the Australian competition.

Lamichhane has played 30 one-day internationals and 43 T20 internationals for his country, taking a total of 152 wickets.

He was suspended as Nepal captain last month and left the Caribbean Premier League after accusations from a 17-year-old that he had raped her in a Kathmandu hotel room in August.

Lamichhane last month issued a statement on social media reiterating that the claims against him were baseless, and defended his decision not to initially return to Nepal from the West Indies.

"News of the arrest warrant issued against me... made me mentally disturbed. I could not think what to do and what not to do," he wrote.

"My health condition is gradually improving and I am planning to return to Nepal as soon as possible to vehemently fight back (against the allegations)."

Soon afterwards, Nepali police said they had sought help from Interpol with a "diffusion" notice asking member countries for their cooperation in bringing Lamichhane back to the country to face charges.

with agencies

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