The Criminal investigation Department has detained a person who they say is their ninth suspect arrested in their investigation of the Rajapaksa era abduction and torture of journalist Keith Noyahr. The suspect, with military connections, was arrested at the Criminal Investigation Department offices on Thursday afternoon after being summoned, the Police said.
The suspect is an Army Intelligence officer, Police Media Division sources said. They said the arrest was carried out following instructions of the Attorney General’s Department.
Attorney General’s Department sources told the Daily News that the suspect’s name is Chamika Kumara, and he has been staff sergeant attached to Army Intelligence.
Police said that it was alleged that the suspect also had a hand in the assault incident involving journalist Namal Perera at Kirulopone in June 2008. He is to be produced at an identification parade, police said.
Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekera yesterday confirmed that the CID can positively conclude its probe on Journalist Keeth Noyahr abduction and assault in a matter of two months.
He told the Daily News that his department recently submitted a report in this regard to Acting Inspector General of Police, C. D. Wickremeratne.
He also said that the latest suspect arrested regarding Noyahr abduction and assault was produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate yesterday.
Journalist Keith Noyahr was abducted and tortured in May 2008 . The investigation into his abduction and assault is one of the continuing high priority probes of the CID among the other investigations such as the of murder of journalist Lasantha Wickremethunga in 2009, and the forced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda in 2010. There are six such high profile cases of the Rajapaksa era currently being probed.
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CID arrests Army intelligence officer (12:34)
Army intelligence officer Chamika Sumith Kumara has been arrested by the CID on the directions of the Acting Inspector General of Police.
He was arrested over the abduction of journalist Keith Noyahr.
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