Nepal newspaper appears in court

Nepal's largest newspaper yesterday appeared briefly in court summoned by the country's chief justice for publishing articles critical of him, in a case widely condemned as an attack on press freedom.

The Kantipur Daily was subpoenaed by chief justice Gopal Parajuli on contempt of court charges for a series of articles that said the country's top judge had given different dates of birth on various official documents.

Judges in Nepal have to retire at 65 and the suggestion is that Parajuli knocked years off his age to hold office for longer.

In the subpoena issued Sunday by Parajuli -- who will preside over the case despite being directly implicated in it -- the newspaper is accused of using "objectionable language" and repeating "imaginary facts". It made no reference to the chief justice's multiple birthdays.

"The articles published by the Kantipur Daily are intended to obstruct the judicial process and weaken the judiciary by disrespecting the court and spreading confusion about the court and its justices," according to the order seen by AFP.

Kantipur Daily's editor-in-chief, the chairman, a company director and a reporter appeared for the scheduled hearing yesterday, but it was postponed until Sunday. They could face up to a year in jail if found guilty.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders slammed the move against the newspaper and urged lawmakers to impeach the top judge.