Amrit Jha Detained in Iran: Family Claims He Remains Imprisoned Despite Government Assurances of Release
Image source, Reuters/Supplied
Despite Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s announcement that Nepali youth Amrit Jha, detained in Iran, has been released, his family insists he remains in prison.
Amrit Jha’s sister, Pooja, revealed on Monday afternoon that her brother had just informed her he is still incarcerated. “My brother called me recently,” she stated.
“He asked, ‘What is happening regarding my release from Nepal?’ I told him, ‘There’s news that you have been released already.’” She conveyed her conversation with Amrit.
“But that is not the case. They informed me this morning via a court letter that your case is still under investigation, which is why you have to remain here,” she added.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to BBC that the process for Jha’s release has commenced.
Amrit Jha is a crew member of a ship owned by Black Sea Marine LLC, a company based in the UAE. He was arrested while en route to Iran from Dubai to collect oil.
Following public disclosure about his situation, Foreign Minister Khanal stated that Jha has been released in Iran and is in contact with the Nepali Embassy in Qatar. Officials indicated that Jha was in Qeshm Island.
However, according to his sister Pooja, Amrit informed her he remains in Bandar Abbas prison. This facility is located in Hormozgan province and is known by human rights activists as a highly scrutinized detention center.
“I was stunned when he called recently,” Pooja said.
“We were initially happy to hear he was released. But the next day learning that he is still imprisoned left me feeling deeply unsettled.”
Release Process Has Begun
Image source, Supplied
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal stated on Wednesday afternoon that he had received confirmation of Jha’s release. Attempts to reach Khanal by phone on Monday were unsuccessful.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri said efforts to secure Jha’s release have begun but the process may take some time.
“The release procedure has started. It may take some time to complete the court process,” Kshetri explained.
“The ministry is working through the consulate general to provide funds necessary for his safe return to Nepal.”
Basanta Kumar Basnet, chief of Triyuga Municipality in Udayapur, shared that despite writing letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consular Service Department to advocate for Amrit’s rescue, he has not received any response.
“I attempted to meet the minister but was unable to. I sent letters but got no reply. The family has only been told he was released; we do not know what happened after that,” Basnet stated.
Amrit Jha’s mother said he has been working with the shipping company for nearly a decade.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to disclose information on other Nepalis currently in Iran.
The government has announced diplomatic efforts to repatriate 11 Nepalis stranded in Iran, including Jha.
Due to the conflict involving the United States and Israel attacking Iran, and the suspension of commercial flights, Nepali nationals have been unable to return home.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 10 Nepalis reside in Tehran, with a total of 11 across Iran, including Jha.
Following India’s evacuation of its citizens and those from two other countries, attention on evacuating Nepalis has increased.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reported on Friday that since the conflict in Iran began, 2,361 people have been evacuated to their home countries.
Of these, 2,060 returned via Armenia and 301 through Azerbaijan.
Among those evacuated were two Bangladeshi nationals, one Sri Lankan and one Guyanese citizen.
The Indian Ministry stated that many Indians travel to Iran for education, employment and business purposes, with an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 still residing there.
Evacuation Efforts for Nepalis Underway
Many Nepalis have traveled to Iran for employment opportunities.
In June last year, when Israel attacked Iran, India assisted in the evacuation of 11 Nepalis.
At that time, diplomatic officials urged Nepalis residing in Iran to get in touch, revealing 17 Nepalis were still there.
Among them, five were jailed for alleged immigration violations.
This time, too, news emerged that a Nepali was detained in Iran even before attacks from the US and Israel.
Government Preparations
Image source, RSS
The Ministry’s spokesperson revealed efforts are underway to bring Jha, located on Qeshm Island near the strategic Hormuz Strait — a focal point of the US-Israel-Iran conflict — out of Iran.
Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri confirmed that rescue efforts for Jha and 10 other Nepalis are in progress.
“We are trying to evacuate all 11 through various methods,” he stated.
“The Nepalis in Tehran want to return home. We are pursuing diplomatic efforts to ensure their safe return.”
Although a ceasefire is currently in effect, the lack of commercial flights and closure of the Hormuz maritime route impede evacuation via sea or air.
Nepal has requested India’s assistance in evacuating Nepalis from Iran and urged that others still there be brought back as well.
Officials have noted that Nepali nationals in Iran commonly work as chefs or cooks.