Kathmandu, Apr 02: Nepal police has taken into custody nine Iraqi nationals, including six women, on charges of not possessing valid travel documents. The nine Iraqis arrived in Kathmandu recently following outbreak of the US-led war against Iraq, enroute to Europe where they plan to seek asylum, media reports here said.

They wish to fly to Sweden from Nepal and are awaiting approval from UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the English daily 'The Rising Sun' said. The Nepal Police arrested them on charges of using fake passport to visit Nepal, reports said, adding they arrived in Kathmandu on a Qatar Airways flight and have been lodged in the central jail.

The Iraqis said they had no intention of staying in Nepal as refugees but want to fly to Sweden where their relatives have been staying. However, UNHCR officials told the paper that they cannot do anything to the Iraqis prior to their surrendering before them with necessary documents to get refugee status.

Bureau Report