Bail granted to former Navy spokesman over youth abductions

Wednesday, 10 January 2018 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Court yesterday granted bail to six suspects including the former Navy Media Spokesperson Commodore DKP Dassanayake arrested for the abduction of 11 youths.

Colombo High Court Judge Manilal Waidyathilaka ordered the release of six naval officers including the former Navy Media Spokesman under strict conditions after considering their bail applications.

Accordingly, each suspect was released on a cash bail of Rs. 100,000 and three sureties of Rs. 1 million each. The judge ordered that one guarantor should be a public servant and that the other guarantor be a close relative.

The judge also ordered the suspects to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Saturday. He ordered the suspects to refrain from influencing the investigations or witnesses after the release and sternly warned the suspects that the bail would be canceled and they would be remanded until the case is concluded if they violate the bail conditions.

Stating strong opposition to the judge’s decision to grant bail, the State Counsel told court that any further investigations could be hampered if the suspects were released on bail.

The State Counsel also informed the court that the chief investigation officer of this case had already received death threats and the matter had been reported to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

However, issuing the orer to release the suspects, the High Court Judge stated that it is regretful that the CID officers have not taken action to satisfy the Court regarding the death threats if there were any. The Criminal Investigation Department arrested Dassanayake on 12 July 2017 for aiding and abetting the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009.

Five others including three other naval officers were also arrested in March 2017 in connection with the abduction of the youth including six international school students and five university students. (colombopage) 

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