US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU1406

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001406 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
STATE ALSO FOR INL JWHITAKER 
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY 
NSC FOR GREEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCOR, PGOV, KCRM, NP 
SUBJECT: NEPAL: CORRUPTION CONVICTION AGAINST FORMER 
MINISTER WAGLE 
 
 
1. (U) On July 22, the Special Court convicted Chiranjivi 
Wagle, former deputy prime minister and Central Committee 
member of Prime Minister Deuba's Nepali Congress (Democratic) 
party, on corruption charges.  The court sentenced him to two 
and a half years in jail, a fine of NRs. 27.2 million 
(approximately USD 368,000) and ordered him to provide the 
court with information explaining his sources of income and 
assets.  This is the first time in Nepal that corruption 
charges against a senior-level politician have resulted in a 
criminal conviction.  The Commission for the Investigation of 
Abuse and Authority (CIAA) filed the case against Wagle over 
a year and a half ago. According to CIAA sources, there are 
additional corruption cases against three former ministers 
awaiting trial by the Special Court.  News reports indicate 
that Wagle will appeal his conviction. 
 
2.  (SBU)  COMMENT:  The Wagle conviction, if it withstands 
the appeal process, will send shivers down the spines of 
Nepal's many corrupt politicians.  This guilty sentence 
results from three years of the CIAA's tireless 
investigations and filings of criminal cases against powerful 
personalities.  What is most significant on the Wagle verdict 
is the judges' unanimous decision on the case.  In the past, 
there have been indications the Special Court's judges 
appeared too intimidated to rule against powerful political 
interests and personalities.  Up to the Wagle verdict, the 
judges had only handed down rulings against low and mid-level 
officials on minor charges (mostly false educational diplomas 
used to qualify for promotions).  If this verdict stands, it 
could provide a timely boost for rule of law as the Palace, 
parties and Maoists vie for dominance in the state.  END 
COMMENT. 
MORIARTY