Young suspect finally released after nine months

By Thilanga Gomes   

A young man who had been on remand for nine months on suspicion of protesting against Israel through social media was released on bail yesterday by Mount Lavinia Addl. Magistrate Hemali Halpathdeniya.   

The suspect Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhail (21) had been arrested by Dehiwala Police on October 25, 2024 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.and remanded.   

When the case was called yesterday, the police told court that the Attorney General has instructed to release the suspect on bail and produced the relevant document issued by Solicitor General President’s Counsel Viraj Dayaratne.

The magistrate ordered the release of the suspect on personal bail in Rs. 500,000 each with two sureties and postponed the case for September 16. Attorneys at Law Geethma Fernando, Waruna Jayasinghe, Aruni Ranasinghe, Ilham Hasanali, Ashroff Mukthar,and Beshad Amjad, appeared for the suspect.