Two ex-Nepal royal ministers freed

The government that replaced King Gyanendra after mass protests against his absolute rule arrested five former ministers in May, including the home minister who was responsible for a widespread crackdown on dissent.

"The justices decided to release the two former ministers, ruling their detention illegal," said Supreme Court official Ram Krishna.

Former home minister Kamal Thapa and former local development minister Tanka Dhakal walked free Sunday, after the Supreme Court ordered their release, Krishna said.

The other three, former foreign affairs miniser Ramesh Nath Pandey and junior ministers Shris Shumshere Rana and Nikshya Shumshere Rana, were released on June 4.

Gyanendra's rule was marked by frequent detention of opponents including the house arrest of now Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

Last week, seven political parties and the Maoist rebels who allied to remove the king from power agreed to dissolve parliament and set up an interim government.

The rebels and government have also agreed to hold elections to form a body that will rewrite Nepal's constitution, permanently clipping the powers of the king.