Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riaz Bathiudeen were arrested by the CID this morning (Jan. 24) for aiding and abetting the suicide bombers involved in the April 21, 2019 attack on the Easter attack.
A Rishad Bathiudeen at his residence on Baudhaloka Mawatha in Colombo and Riaz Bathiudeen at his residence in Wellawatte.
Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana stated that further investigations are being carried out against them under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera yesterday granted permission to detain and question Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riaz Bathiudeen, who were arrested by the CID, for 72 hours.
However, MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s lawyer Rushdie Habib said in a special media statement that although all Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims live in harmony in the country, it is part of the process of harassing Muslim political leaders at the national level who are criticizing the current government. That he sees this arrest.
The statement further stated:
Rishad Bathiudeen and Riaz Bathiudeen have not been linked to the Easter attacks, according to a report by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter attacks.
However, MP Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riaz Bathiudeen (24) were arrested by the CID this morning. Following the arrest, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said that Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother had been arrested for questioning about aiding and abetting Easter attackers.
MP Rishad Bathiudeen is the Leader of the All Ceylon People’s Congress. His party does worse than expected from opinion polls, which saw them at gaining about four seats. In addition, 169 members of local government bodies represent the party he leads. All Muslims are spending the holy month of Ramadan.
MP Rishad Bathiudeen has visited the CID and given statements whenever it was previously informed by the CID. We point out that it is not in the nature of a democratic society to come home at around 1 am without prior notice and make such an arrest without giving any reason.
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Attack, chaired by a Supreme Court judge, has completed its investigation into allegations leveled against the former minister by Rishad Bathiudeen. Evidence presented to the commission did not confirm that MP Rishad Bathiudeen aided or abetted the Easter attack. Accordingly, no evidence has been presented to the Commission that Rishad Bathiudeen was involved in the Easter attack. The arrest of MP Rishad Bathiudeen without such a background and justification is an opportunity to question the independence of the law.
This is the result of a political conspiracy. During the last presidential election, members of the All Ceylon People’s Congress, led by Rishad Bathiudeen, supported the candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawega