Riyad Bathiudeen, the brother of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, has been arrested by the CID in connection with the Easter Sunday bombings and has been detained for five months due to insufficient evidence to investigate and prosecute him.
The people of Negombo in particular continued to hold protests and agitations in this regard. Following this incident, the President, Defense Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and former Police Media Spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne were turned into black figures on social media.
However, Minister Chamal Rajapaksa said that although he was released, investigations into him were still ongoing. President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa also wrote in his face book that he had no deal with MP Rishard.
Meanwhile, a letter signed by 100 government members was handed over to the Prime Minister and President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday (09) requesting the immediate arrest of Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riaz Bathiudeen.
The MPs have stated in the letter that despite strong evidence against Riaz Badurdeen, the CID has arbitrarily released him.
Riyadh Bathiudeen was arrested on April 14, in connection with the terrorist attack on the Easter Sunday attack on April 21, 2019 by the CID. Riyadh Bathiudeen was released on September 30 without any legal permission, despite strong evidence of his arrest.
The letter called for a full investigation into the CID’s arbitrary actions and his re-arrest.