Attorney Hizbullah, Madrasa School Principal remanded till 3 March

• Hizbullah produced in court for first time in over 10 months
• The men face charges under PTA and ICCPR Act

Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah and the Principal of Madrasa School Mohammed Shakeel were remanded till 3 March by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage yesterday.

The two were produced before the Magistrate on the directive of the Attorney General to face charges under the PTA and the ICCPR Act.

Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris informed the Magistrate that the suspects were involved in imparting extremist teachings at a religious school in Puttalam and this school had links to those involved in the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Hizbullah has been held under a Detention Order since April, while the other suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday night.

The two men are facing charges under section 2 (1) (h) of the PTA, section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act and Section 102 and 113 (a) of the Penal Code.

They stand accused of causing or intending to cause commission of acts of violence or religious, racial, or communal disharmony or feelings of ill‐will or hostility between different communities or racial or religious groups; offences punishable under the PTA.

Under Section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act, they face similar charges. Section 3 (1) states: “No person shall…advocate national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence.”

Under 102 and 113 (a) of the Penal Code, they also face charges of abetment and conspiracy.