The Nepal government has deported an American climber, alleging that he violated the strict ban imposed on anti-China protests on Mount Everest, ahead of the Beijing Olympics.
The government imposed a two-year ban, which prohibits William Brant Holland from climbing any mountain in Nepal, officials said.
The US climber was spotted with a banner painted with 'Free Tibet' slogan in his bag on April 21, according to sources at the Ministry of Tourism.
The tourist police had escorted Holland to the airport for deportation.
The Nepal government has also banned climbing Mount Everest from the Nepalese side from May 1 to 10, as per China's request.
The government has deployed at least 25 security personnel at the base camp of Everest to prevent any possible obstruction to the Olympic torch rally, which will start from the Chinese side of Everest on May 1.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Tibetans marched in Swayambhu area, the famous Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu, on Monday demanding freedom of expression in Tibet.
The police did not interfere as hundreds of monks also participated in the peace rally, organised to protest Chinese crackdown in Tibet.