Trial begins for six men accused of killing British aid worker
Tuesday, 3 December 2013 00:56
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REUTERS: The six Sri Lankan men accused of murdering a British aid worker arrived in court on Monday (2 December) for the first day of their trial.
Thirty-two-year-old Red Cross worker Khuram Shaikh, from Rochdale in Greater Manchester, was shot and stabbed on holiday in 2011.
British officials, including Prime Minister David Cameron, had expressed concern at the slow pace of progress in the case. However, Sri Lankan authorities said they had put the trial on the fast track, by omitting a preliminary inquiry, which would usually be held.
Local media said six men including a Sri Lankan provincial lawmaker are facing trial on Monday.
One of the lawyers representing the accused said the next trial date will be on 25 February.
“The court is amending the bail conditions and making them tougher because the documents for earlier bail conditions have not been properly drafted. The Attorney General’s Department and the court have agreed to the hold the (next) trial date on a daily basis from 25 February,” Sharpthika Wellampitiya said.
The case is being heard in the High Court in the capital after it was transferred from Tangalle where the incident took place to prevent the possibility of intimidation of witnesses.
