The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained permission to detain former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen who were taken into custody in the early hours of yesterday (April 24) for allegedly aiding and abetting the Easter Sunday bomb attackers. The two brothers will be detained and interrogated for 72 hours under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The former Minister was taken into custody at his residence in Bauddhaloka Mawatha in Colombo while his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen was apprehended in Wellawatte. The two brothers were arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the suicide bombers who carried out the deadly terror attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019.
A media release issued by Attorney at Law Rushdhie Habeeb, appearing for the two brothers stated, “Having evaluated the evidence, the Easter Commission found no evidence of any one of the Bathiudeens having aided or abetted the suicide bombers in the Easter Sunday bombings. Their arrest without any justifiable material is in violation of the rule of law.”Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said legal action will be sought against the duo under the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act. Rishad and Riyaj Bathiudeen were taken into custody based on the direct, circumstantial and forensic evidence uncovered during the investigations, he said.
DIG Rohana in a media release issued yesterday stated that 702 suspects have been placed under arrest over the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. He said 202 of them are currently in remand custody while 83 others have been detained for interrogations.