• Court order came at yesterday’s hearing when CID reported progress of investigation 
• Swiss Embassy employee subjected to medical evaluation by team of psychiatrists yesterday 

 

Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday directed the Swiss Embassy to hand over the mobile devices and SIM cards of the Swiss Embassy employee Garnier Banister Francis and her husband to the CID.

The Court directive came when the police reported progress of the investigation to Court.

Earlier in the day, Francis was presented before a board of psychiatrists for a medical evaluation at the National Institute of Mental Health.

The Embassy employee is in custody on reasonable suspicion of committing offenses under Sections 120 and 190 of the Penal Code, and could face charges of causing disaffection towards the Government, and fabricating false evidence for the purpose of being used in any stage of a judicial proceeding, in her alleged abduction claim.

Alleged abduction incident must not sour diplomatic relations: President