Kathmandu, April 4: Eleven Nepali nationals have been arrested in various West Asian countries for posting misleading audio, video, and images about the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran on social media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.
According to the ministry, four arrests were made in Saudi Arabia, three each in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, and one in Oman. Authorities in these countries prohibit sharing photos, videos, or audio of missile and drone attacks in ways that create fear or panic on social media, with violations subject to legal penalties.
Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri said the arrests were made under such legal provisions. He added that Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions are coordinating with host countries to gather details on the detainees’ condition, the specific charges, and possible fines or legal consequences.
Kshetri said there is currently no significant risk of widespread job losses for Nepali workers in the region despite the conflict. While concerns have grown in sectors such as hospitality, restaurants, and tourism, diplomatic missions report no large-scale threat so far.
He added that rescue efforts are ongoing for Nepalis who feel unsafe and wish to return home from Gulf countries affected by the conflict.
The ministry’s call center has been receiving frequent inquiries from Nepali citizens regarding flight availability, repatriation procedures, and labor approvals.
“So far, 86,420 people have registered their names. The number of those reporting insecurity is gradually declining, and many who initially felt unsafe are now choosing to stay and continue working. The rescue of those stranded in transit has nearly been completed,” he said.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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