COLOMBO (News 1st): The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) arrested one suspect in Kahatagasdigiliya on Thursday (Jun. 11), for charges in respect of Extremism and harbouring Zahran Hashim, the Chief Suspect of the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks, Sri Lanka Police said.

Based on the investigation conducted by TID, the suspect identified as 47-year-old Muhammadu Kani Muhammadu Realdin was involved in various activities in respect of extremism; moreover, he had harboured Zahran Hashim and his followers in 2018, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st on Friday (Jun. 11).

Moreover, 35-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Mohammadu Thowfeek who was remanded at the Batticaloa Remand Prison was also taken into the custody of the Terrorist Investigation Division.

According to the Deputy Police Chief, the suspect had been remanded by Batticaloa Police in 2019 regarding offences related to the April 21st Attacks.

“On the request made by the TID to the court, under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the suspect has been released to the TID custody for further investigations,” DIG Ajith Rohana noted.

The two suspects have been brought to the TID office in Colombo adding that they will be interrogated regarding incidents related to the 2019 April 21st Attacks, the Police Spokesperson added.

The Terrorist Investigation Division is conducting further investigations.

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