Rizana's fate depends on action taken against suspects

6 January 2012 04:15 pm

The Senior State Counsel told the Colombo High Court that Rizana Nafeek, who was sent to Saudi Arabia on forged documents by the suspects, was presently on death row and her fate exclusively depended on the action taken against the suspects by the Sri Lankan government.
 
He said the international community was watching as to what action was being taken against them and urged that the trial be expedited.
 
Considering submissions of State Counsel Deleepa Pieris, High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa heard the case against the suspects Shahul Hameed Mohamadu Abdul Latiff,  Pakeer Mohideen Wajurdeen and Kamsa Lebbe Abdul Salam.
 
Senior State Counsel Deleepa Pieris led the evidence of Rizana’s parents who said they lived a hand-to-mouth existence.
 
They said Rizana who is the eldest among the four children consented to go to the Middle East for employment to ease the family burden.
 
They said the accused Shahul Hameed Mohamadu Abdul Latiff who was their neighbour volunteered to send Rizana to Saudi Arabia for foreign employment. The witnesses said they did not pay any money to Latiff.
 
Further hearing was postponed for January 16. (T. Farook Thajudeen)