Moulavi demands release of Bathiudeen brothers

Moulavi Munajith in solo protest in Vavuniya

By Dinasena Ratugamage

Moulavi Munajith, who allegedly posted a video on social media justifying the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, three days after the carnage, has launched a protest in Vavuniya against the arrest of Vanni District lawmaker Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother, Riyaj, in connection with the attacks.

Moulavi Munajith demands that the Bathiudeen brothers be released immediately as, he says, their arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) were illegal.

The Moulavi allegedly released the aforesaid video justifying the attacks from abroad while he was on a pilgrimage.

Police headquarters spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that the Bathiudeen brothers were among 700 persons taken into custody since the investigations began two years ago