Society of Professional Journalists has questioned the motive behind the arrest of Kantipur Media Group Chairman Kailash Sirohiya.

“We join the Federation of Nepali Journalists in questioning the actual motives behind the arrest,” SPJ said in a statement. “The FNJ said the arrest casts aspersions on the entire news-gathering sector. They added the arrest of Sirohiya appears vindictive in nature.”

The organisation has called on the government to release Sirohiya while this investigation takes place and to reaffirm its commitment to a free and unfettered press.