An emotional homecoming for Govinda Mainali after 15 years in Japanese jail

Govinda Mainali, who spend 15 years in Japanese jail after being wrongly convicted for murder, waves at well-wishers as he arrives at his residence in Minbhawan, Kathmandu, on Saturday, 16 June 2012. nepalnews.com (Photo source: AP)

It was an an emotional moment for Govinda Mainali as he landed in Tribhuvan International Airport Saturday afternoon after languishing in a Japanese jail for 15 years after being wrongly convicted for a murder.

He was received by tearful family members and relatives at the airport and was instantly surrounded by national and international media. Govinda's mother whom he wanted to see as early as possible while awaiting permission from Japanese immigration to the was also there to receive him.

He was followed by the TV crews as he was driven to his residence at Min Bhawan. A group of Japanese journalists and photographers descended in Kathmandu, covering the moments of Govinda's homecoming. He said he was grateful to Japanese and Nepali media and well-wishers who supported him all these years.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu in the evening, Govinda said he was ill-treated by the Japanese officials while he was in the jail. He also complained that Nepal government didn't pay attention towards his suffering resulting from the false accusation.

He also said that he would await the final trial verdict before seeking compensation against the imposition of 15 years jail sentence by the Japanese court. nepalnews.com