Court has ordered that the handling of witnesses in the alleged murder of a youth in Embilipitiya, be handed over to the DIG of the Sabaragamuwa Province.

Eight civilians who were charged with attacking the police were produced before the Embilipitiya Magistarte on Monday, Jan. 11. The attorney-at-law appearing for the suspects noted that the witnesses are under duress as a result of the statements issued by the police media spokesperson on the incident.

Accordingly, the lawyer urged court to issue an order prohibiting the police media spokesperson from making any further statements to the media, until investigations conclude. Taking the facts into consideration, the magistrate submitted that action will be taken if the lives of the witnesses are in danger while the investigations are ongoing.

Investigations into the alleged murder have been postponed until Jan. 13.

Meanwhile, police have identified five of the eight suspects who were produced before the identification parade. Speaking on the matter, ASP Ruwan Gunasekara stated that the final verdict over the matter will be released once the magisterial inquest into the murder concludes.

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