Ousted king rejects claims he was a mass murderer

NEPAL’S former king, Gyanendra, said yesterday he “respected” the abolition of the centuries-old Himalayan monarchy as he gave a final speech before his eviction from the royal palace.

In a downbeat and brief farewell broadcast live on national television, Nepal’s ousted ruler also hit back at allegations he was a mass murderer who had robbed the impoverished country.

“I have assisted in and respected the verdict of the people,” he said in his first comments since the declaration of a republic on May 28. He added that he “will not leave this country” and go into exile.

The decision to abolish the monarchy was taken by a constitutional assembly, formed as part of a peace deal between Maoist insurgents and mainstream parties who joined forces when Gyanendra tried to assume dictatorial powers.

Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001 after a palace massacre in which the then-crown prince — who was drunk and on drugs and furious at being prevented from marrying the woman he loved — killed most of the royal family including himself.

During his 14-minute speech, the former king hit back at accusations that he was linked to the killings. “Me and my family have been continuously defamed with ill intentions, which was saddening and still is. The accusations that were targeted against us were inhuman.”

Many Nepalese believed he was behind the killings, even though an official probe and several independent studies have dismissed that view as little more than a conspiracy theory.

“There was also an accusation that I have lots of property and money abroad,” the ex-king also complained. “All my properties are in Nepal. All the properties I have are nationalised. In the last seven years, I have not gathered any money or property.”

Gyanendra — sitting in a chair surrounded by two stuffed tigers and a rhino head — said he had also handed over his diamond, ruby and emerald-adorned crown and sceptre. “The crown and sceptre used by the Shah dynasty, I have given to the Nepal government.”

Gyanendra, however, stopped short of apologising to those killed during his reign, part of which was marked by a bloody crackdown against pro-democracy demonstrators. “If any people have been harmed, I hope you understand it was unintentional,” he said.

Nepal’s Maoists, who fought for a decade to overthrow the 240-year-old monarchy, welcomed Gyanendra’s decision to leave the palace voluntarily.

“It is good to see him comply with the people’s verdict, but he had no other choice,” said Chandra Prakash Gajurel, a senior Maoist.

The ex-king was expected to leave the palace last night.