Kathmandu: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) released updated information on Amrit Jha, a Nepali national who was arrested on charges of smuggling and transporting illegal goods in Iran’s Qeshm Island and is currently in custody in Bandar Abbas.
The information released by MoFA is as stated: Nepali citizen Jha and 6 other foreigners were detained by Iranian security personnel from Qeshm Island in early January 2026 before the start of the conflict between America-Israel and Iran on 28 February 2026.
On April 15, 2026, Shahram Shantiaee, the Nepali Honorary Consul for Iran, sent a message to Kumar Rai, Acting Ambassador of Nepal to Qatar, saying, “Dear Mr. Kumar today, with the follow-up efforts I fortunately received news of Mr. Amrit’s release. His release letter has been issued, and he is free as of today” and the report was sent to Shisir Khanal, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Secretary from the head of the relevant division. A statement was issued on the same day that Jha had been released from the Ministry in view of the public interest and media inquiries at that time regarding his citizens and the fact that his family had come to know about it. On the basis of this information, the Minister Khanal also announced this matter through his social network. Also, for the purpose of completing the process of bringing him back to Nepal, Nepali Embassy in Doha has been instructed to provide written proof of his release. But according to the information received after a few days, Amrit Jha has not been released and the court has asked to prepare an expert report on the related case. After that, all these facts have been informed to Jha’s family in a meeting with officials including Minister Khanal.
The Ministry has apologized for the confusion and inconvenience caused by the release of unofficial information that Jha was released while the case was pending in a local court in Iran.
According to the latest information received from the Ministry, the expert team formed for the Expert Report is in the process of preparing the report and submitting it to the court. Due to the fact that the case pending in the local courts of Iran will be determined according to the laws of Iran, continuous diplomatic initiatives are being continued for Jha’s fair trial by using all available means.
