Court Discharges 12 Suspects Linked to Easter Sunday Attacks

Colombo (News 1st); Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara ordered the discharge of 12 individuals following a report submitted to the court by the Terrorism Investigation Division on December 11, 2020.

The suspects were taken into custody, held under detention orders for the purpose of investigation, and subsequently remanded pending further inquiries. They were later released on bail.

The suspects discharged are Sinthi Sathuna, Rauf Fathima Sara, Lebbe Rishana, Saligu Junai Thisya, Qasim Mathaniya, Fathima Shahida, Ibrahim Sarda, Mohamed Irfan, and Mohamed Shafan.

After appearing before the court, officers from the TID informed the Magistrate that investigations against the suspects, alleged to have aided and abetted acts of terrorism, had been concluded, and that the relevant investigative material had been submitted to the Attorney General.

The court was further informed that, pursuant to the directions issued by the Attorney General on April 9, no further legal action would be instituted against the suspects at this time.

Counsel appearing on behalf of the suspects moved for an order directing the release of items seized during the course of the investigation, including mobile phones. The TID informed the court that arrangements were being made to return six mobile phones.

Having considered the submissions of both parties, the Additional Magistrate ordered the discharge of the suspects from further judicial proceedings in this matter and directed that the seized items be returned.