Govt. to expedite cases against those held under PTA: Sabry

Justice Minister Ali Sabry 

• Tells p’ment CJ, AG consulted to find ways to expedite cases
• Says no political prisoners in the country

Justice Minister Ali Sabry said he has been in consultation with the Attorney General (AG) and the Chief Justice (CJ) in order to expedite cases against those who are being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

He said the meeting was held recently and the AG has been asked to look into each case individually.

“On the instructions of the President and the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Security and I have held discussions with the AG and the CJ on how to expedite these cases. We believe these cases must be expedited and disposed of, “ Sabry said in response to a question raised by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam.

The TNA MP raised the question of political prisoners during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the House yesterday.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that there are no political prisoners in the country and those who are in remand are facing different charges under the Penal Code.

Justice Minister Sabry said that immediately after the defeat of the LTTE in 2009 there were around 12,843 LTTE suspects who surrendered to the Government, and that they were rehabilitated and have assimilated to society. They included 600 child soldiers.

“There are no political prisoners detained in the country, but there are a few held under the PTA. There are grievous charges against these persons,” he said. The TNA MP said that around 50 youth are being held for posting various Facebook posts and queried if these were also considered grievous crimes.