Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hisbullah and the Principal of a Madrasa School in Puttalam Mohommed Shakil, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), were further remanded till March 18 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today. Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Piries further stated that the suspects have been charged under Section 02 (1) (h) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Section 03 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Update:
Hejaaz Hisbullah, Madrasa Principal further remanded
SHAVINI MADHARA
Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hisbullah and the Principal of a Madrasa School in Puttalam Mohommed Shakil, who were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), were further remanded till March 18 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage yesterday.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Piries further stated that the suspects have been charged under Section 02 (1) (h) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Section 03 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Attorney-at-Law Hizbullah was detained by the CID for about 10 months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, Senior State Counsel Lakmini Giriyagama, Assistant Superintendent of Police Upul Seneviratne and OIC Kumarasiri appeared on behalf of the complainant.
Attorney Hijaz Hizbullah was represented by President’s Counsel Nalindra Indatissa and a group of lawyers, while Attorney-at-Law Chaminda Athukorala appeared for the principal Mohamed Shakeel.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a report including a summary of statements recorded by the suspects and the witnesses related to the matter.
DSG Peiris further stated that there was a separate report including the confidential statements recorded by the witnesses and the suspects.
President’s Counsel Nalindra Indatissa appearing on behalf of Hizbullah requested the Magistrate to issue copies of the further reports submitted by the prosecution.
The President’s Counsel further stated that after studying the further reports submitted by the Criminal Investigations Department, it was necessary to make submissions regarding the possibility of the Court having the remand of the suspects. Attorney-at-Law Chaminda Athukorala appearing on behalf of the second suspect Mohammed Shakeel also made the same request.
DSG Dileepa Piries raised objections towards the request made by the defense counsels. DSG Dileepa Piries noted that the reports contained sensitive information as well as confidential information.
Considering the submissions presented by both parties the Magistrate informed that firstly he has to refer to the reports and then he would allow a Counsel from the defendants’ party to check the reports.
The Magistrate further directed that he would provide the opportunity to check the facts which directly related to the suspects to relevant Counsel.
