Representatives of the Bhutanese refugee community settled in various countries have expressed their concern over the arrest of their leader Tek Nath Rizal in connection with the fake refugee scam.

Issuing a joint statement on Wednesday, representatives from various organisations of the refugee community claimed that the motive behind Rizal’s arrest was unjustified.

“The recent arrest of Tek Nath Rizal, a prominent Bhutanese human rights leader, in connection with the scandal is unbelievable and unjustified,” reads the statement.

The representatives also claimed that the leader had been made a scapegoat and used to divert the attention of the authorities from some of the accused. The statement further reads that ‘such baseless’ claims and accusations levelled at Rizal would ruin his future and tarnish his image as a leader.

Extending their support to Rizal, on behalf of the Bhutanese refugee community worldwide, the notice also mentioned that the members of the community feared that Rizal would not be served justice, and requested that he be provided necessary legal support to represent himself.

While expressing their appreciation for the concerned authorities for making strides in the case, the representatives also called for Rizal’s immediate release, given his advanced age, health condition, mental well-being and alleged conspiracy plotted against him.

“The undersigned wholeheartedly call for the immediate release of Rizal, condemn the act of denationalizing Nepalese citizens with the motive of making them Bhutanese refugees and support the ongoing investigation with a trust that all culprits involved will be brought to justice soon,” the notice further reads.

The statement was jointly issued by over half-a-dozen signatories from various organisations such as the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (USA), Bhutanese Welfare Association (UK), Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (the Netherlands), Bhutanese Community Association of Southern Tasmania Inc. (Australia), Bhutanese Community of Lexington, Kentucky (USA), Bhanu Dhungana, former President of Bhutanese Canadian Association (Canada), Bhoj Raj Subba, president of Bhutanese Community of New Zealand (New Zealand), and Dr Govinda Rizal, Bhutanese Scholar (Nepal).