Two Nepali Nationals Arrested by Ukrainian Border Guard

KATHMANDU: Two Nepali nationals, Sandesh Keshi from Baglung and Jayprakash Shah from Mahottari, have been arrested by the Ukrainian Border Security Guard.

The duo had fled to Ukraine through an Indian agent, intending to enter Poland amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Nepali Embassy in Germany, which oversees Ukrainian affairs, has confirmed their arrest. “They were arrested about a week ago and have been held in custody for further investigation,” said Deputy Chief of Mission, Sagar Fuyaal. “The Embassy will make every effort to facilitate their return to Nepal as soon as possible.”

Fuyaal mentioned that sending Keshi and Shah back to Nepal immediately would be difficult.

Previously, it took nearly 10 months to send Sher Syangwo and Phurba Sherpa, who were arrested in Ukraine, back to Nepal.

They had also entered Ukraine through an Indian education consultancy by paying 7-7 lakh Nepali Rupees.

The Ukrainian authorities had subjected them to intensive interrogation, accusing them of espionage.

KC and Shah had entered Ukraine from Moldova by road and were planning to cross into Poland.

Phuyal stated that it would not be possible to send them directly from Ukraine to Nepal, as the process requires facilitating visa issuance for Moldova.

Since February 24, 2022, Ukraine has suspended all passenger flights, except military flights, to and from its international airports. Starting from the third week of January 2023, neighboring countries of Ukraine have decided not to issue entry visas to foreign nationals, including Nepali citizens, seeking entry into their countries from Ukraine.

The Nepali Embassy issued a statement on Feb 22, 2023, saying, “No Nepali nationals attempting to enter Ukraine illegally will be granted entry by any neighboring country, and the concerned embassies or immigration offices will not issue entry permits. Given the suspension of international flights from Ukraine, the Nepali Embassy cannot issue travel permits for departure.”