Sri Lanka police have failed to inform the family of a young Muslim arrested by police and detained under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), says the victim’s distraught mother.
On Wednesday (02), mother of Mohamed Rusdy appealed to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) urging intervention to secure his immediate release.
The 23 years old supermarket worker was arrested on 22 March by the Kompannaveediya police and detained at the Counter Terrorism Investigation Division (CTID). He is held in administrative detention for 90 days under PTA.
“As of today, we have not been informed of the specific charges against him, and the police have not provided any clear explanation for his detention,” says the mother in her appeal addressed to the HRCSL head as well as Commissioner Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke.
“We firmly believe that my son’s detention is a mistake, and there are growing concerns that the authorities may be attempting to frame charges against him. His current situation is deeply distressing to our family, and we respectfully urge the Human Rights Commission to intervene and ensure his immediate release,” she adds.
She has further requested HRCSL to visit her son to assess his well-being and speak with him directly, so that his condition can be thoroughly evaluated.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s top Muslim body has raised concerns over the arrest of the young man for displaying a sticker opposing the atrocities in Palestine.
“Upon inquiry, the police authorities informed our representatives that the arrest was not solely due to the sticker but was linked to other unspecified concerns. The ACJU has formally requested official documentation detailing the charges,” says The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU).
Police have claimed that Mohammed Rusdy was presented to the ACJU that called for the rehabilitation of the young man as he ‘is beyond a normal Muslim’.
However, ACJU has not confirmed the police claim.
According to a statement by the police, the 22 years old was arrested ‘under reasonable doubt that he has a tendency to commit a terrorist act’ and that a probe is underway to find out whether he is ‘inclined to commit a terrorist act’.
It further states that a forensic investigation has been launched on Rusdy’s computer hardware, IT software and mobile phones.
