Court Hears Testimony from Zaharan's Widow

COLOMBO (News 1st);  The High Court of Kalmunai on Thursday (8) heard a case filed against Fathima Hadia, the widow of Zahran Hashim, the leader of the group behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

The proceedings took place before High Court Judge Jayaram Trotsky.

During the hearing, Fathima Hadia was questioned regarding a statement she had previously given to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

She claimed that the statement was made under duress and not of her own free will, alleging pressure from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Hadia also stated that she recognized a woman named Sara Jasmine at the National Thowheed Jamaath mosque and identified her as the wife of Hasthun, a close associate of her late husband, Zahran Hashim.

However, defense attorneys objected to the prosecution’s line of questioning regarding the contents of her earlier statement, arguing it was inadmissible. The court upheld the objection and instructed that such questions should not be pursued further.

The case is scheduled to resume on July 4.