Nepalese cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been acquitted of raping an 18-year-old woman following a hearing at an appeal court.
The 23-year-old had been found guilty in December 2023 and sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2024.
However, the Patan High Court overturned the conviction on Wednesday after hearing his appeal in Lalitpur.
“He had to be cleared and the high court has set him free. He was not guilty,” Sabita Bhadari Baral, a lawyer for the player, told Reuters.
Lamichhane, a leg-spinner, was a prominent figure in Nepalese cricket and had played in Australia’s Big Bash and the Indian Premier League before his arrest.
He was suspended as Nepal’s captain in September 2022 following the rape accusations.
Despite the charges, Lamichhane made a controversial return to the Nepal team in February 2023 after being released on bail, participating in matches against Scotland and Namibia.
His return sparked protests, and players from both opposing teams refused to shake his hand.