(UTV | COLOMBO) – Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and Riyaj Bathiudeen have been arrested this morning (24).
The Parliamentarian and his brother were arrested this morning by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
The CID has been standing outside my house in Boudhaloka Mawatha since 1.30 am today attempting to arrest me without a charge. They have already arrested my brother. I have been in Parliament, and have cooperated with all lawful authorities until now. This is unjust.
— Rishad Bathiudeen (@rbathiudeen) April 23, 2021
“The CID has been standing outside my house in Boudhaloka Mawatha since 1.30 AM today attempting to arrest me without a charge. They have already arrested my brother. I have been in Parliament, and have cooperated with all Lawful Authorities until now. This is unjust,” the former Minister tweeted prior to his arrest.
Prior to his arrest, Rishad released a video on social media stating that the Officers attached to the CID have failed to set forth an arrest warrant and that the Speaker of Parliament was not aware of the arrest and did not know the nature of charges he would be arrested.
“Asked if there is a warrant and if the Speaker had been informed. They did not answer.
“I was in Parliament yesterday. Nothing was said about me. About 2.30 in the morning CID Personnel arrived and I was told to get ready to go.
“I am a Member of Parliament (MP). Also a Party Leader. Therefore, if I am to be arrested, the Speaker should be informed. I asked if the Speaker had been informed. They did not answer.
“Asked if there is a warrant. That too was not answered. I do not know what kind of charges will be filed against me.
“I am not wrong. I have not sinned. My hands are clean.” the Parliamentarian said in the video on his Facebook.
Police Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajith Rohana said that they were arrested at their respective residences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) over allegations of aiding and abetting the suicide bombers of the Easter attack.
DIG Rohana said that they are currently being questioned in this regard by the CID.
Earlier, Rishad made a request to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) seeking a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations specified in the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) into the Easter attacks.
The former Minister made a request to expeditiously investigate the allegation in respect of the sale of scrap metal from Government Corporations to Colossus (Private) Limited, which is a Company owned by one of the bombers.
The Industrial Development Board (IDB) was involved in the collection and sale of scrap metal, for which the criteria is given in the guidelines, none of which were found to be violated. However, the PCOI recommended further investigation on whether bribery was involved.