Young Australian filmmaker, 24, who was thrown in a Nepalese jail for three days when he recorded a protest is released after swapping stories with prison guards
- Kalani Gacon was arrested with six other foreign nationals in Nepal on Saturday
- He was accused of participating in a protest but he claims he was only filming it
- The 24-year-old has been since been released after posting a bond of $120
An Australian filmmaker who was arrested and jailed in Nepal after filming a protest has been released.
Kalani Gacon, 24, was arrested with six other foreign nationals in Nepal on Saturday.
He claims authorities were trying to deport the group for being involved in the rally, which was protesting against the government’s response to the pandemic.
Foreigners are not allowed to protest in Nepal.
Kalani Gacon (pictured), 24, was arrested with six other foreign nationals in Nepal on Saturday
However just three days later Mr Gacon, from the Blue Mountains, 50km north west of Sydney, announced his release (pictured)
He took to social media to beg friends and family for help and to be put in contact with lawyers.
‘We are not being allowed to use our phones. They said they will keep us in New Road Police Station tonight but I am not sure if that is true.’
However just three days later Mr Gacon, from the Blue Mountains, 50km north west of Sydney, announced his release.
‘Thanks for everyone’s hard work, prayers and love we are out of jail,’ he posted on Facebook.
‘Some magic was manifested thanks to everyone who worked for us.’
He said the Nepalese police were good to the group and nights were spent swapping stories.
Mr Gacon was released on Monday afternoon after handing over a bond worth $120.
His mother, Alexandra Gacon, told the ABC he had been denied legal representation and had been charged with ‘documenting internal affairs’.
His mother, Alexandra Gacon, told the ABC he had been denied legal representation and had been charged with ‘documenting internal affairs’
‘He wasn’t actively involved,’ she said.
‘He’s an avid filmmaker. That’s his life. He’s been making films since he was nine years old.
‘He’s really scared of being banned from Nepal, because it’s his second home. He loves the people. He loves it there.’
Hundreds of young people Nepal have defied lockdown laws since Tuesday to protest the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Gacon has been volunteering in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu to help feed the poor
He took to social media to beg friends and family for help and to be put in contact with lawyers when he was arrested (pictured)
Nepal has recorded more than 5,000 cases of COVID-19 and 16 fatalities.
Mr Gacon was volunteering in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu to help feed the poor during the pandemic.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment.