Twelve suspects discharged over Easter Sunday bomb attacks

By Bhagya Silva

welve suspects who were previously arrested and remanded on suspicion of aiding and abetting the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks were discharged today by Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasinghe.

The suspects had been taken into custody by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), which submitted an initial report to court on December 11, 2020. Those discharged include Sinti Suthuna, Rauff Fathima Sara, Lebbe Rishana, Saligu Junai Thisya, Qasim Mathaniya, Fathima Shahida, Imraheem Serda, Mohamed Irfan and Mohamed Shafan.

During proceedings, TID officers informed court that investigations into the suspects’ alleged involvement in supporting extremist terrorist activities had been completed. The case file was referred to the Attorney General, who, by instructions issued on April 9, advised that no further legal action be taken. Acting on these instructions, the prosecution moved to discharge the suspects from the case.

Counsel appearing for the discharged individuals requested the return of items seized during the investigations, including mobile phones. The TID informed court that steps would be taken to release six of the confiscated devices.