A British jury hearing Nepal’s conflict-era case is likely to deliver its verdict on Nepal Army Col Kumar Lama by early next week.

A 12-member jury is scheduled to meet on Monday to sum up the case as the defenders and prosecutors wrapped up the presentation of their evidences on Friday.

“Since the jury should find a unanimous decision, it might take some time,” said one of the lawyers. “But it is unlikely that they will take many days.”

The British government arrested Col Lama three years ago as per the country’s obligation under the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and tried him in London for a criminal offence under Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act-1988. Col Lama has been accused of torturing two individuals in the Kapilvastu barracks in 2005.

Rights lawyers say the verdict could have a long-term impact on Nepal’s ongoing transitional justice process.

“If he is convicted, no one should use it unnecessarily to bring all the victims for universal jurisdiction cases. If he is acquitted, no one should use it unnecessarily for demoralising the victims and human rights agenda,” said a lawyer.

Nepal merely requested the British government to bring back Col Lama without making legal reforms and procedure formulation required to repatriate him.

Lawyers had suggested that the government enact laws and set up a competent court equivalent to the UK court to continue the detained colonel’s trial in Nepal.