US national changes statement

KATHMANDU, July 6: In a dramatic volte face, US national John Robert Schrumpf changed his statement about his abduction on May 29 allegedly by two Nepali citizens including a serving Army officer during a primary hearing at the Kathmandu District Court on Wednesday.



Paving the way for nullification of the lawsuit itself, he said to the court that he was not at all kidnapped by the two. Rather, he went with them to the casino voluntarily, he said. [break]



The public prosecutors and the police officials were taken aback by the sudden change in his statement. He himself had lodged a complaint with the Metropolitan Police Range Kathmandu (MPRK) shortly after his reported release from the 18-hour captivity.



With this, it is clear that the case against Gautam Nanda Thakuri, 23, a Nepal Army Lieutenant from Baitadi, and Mahesh Jung Karki, 22, of Kathmandu, whom the US national himself identified as the kidnappers after the police arrested them will be disposed by the court. Thakuri who is now being probed by the Nepal Army will benefit from Schrumpf´s sudden change in statement.



"He cooperated during the whole process of investigations but we cannot now figure out why he deviated from his initial complaint," said officials.



Police sources do not rule out an understanding between the two parties based on monetary considerations.

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