Court orders to detain, question suspect arrested for plotting to assassinate President

Minuwangoda Magistrate’s Court yesterday granted Police permission to detain and question a suspect who was arrested over an alleged plot to assassinate President Gotabaya Rajapaksa or a family member.

The Court granted permission to detain the suspect in the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) until 16 December for interrogation. The suspect was arrested by the Katunayake police and handed over to the CID yesterday.

The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Hakeem Mohammedu Rifkhan, is a lodger at a hostel in the Amandoluwa area in Seeduwa. Three others who were with him were also arrested.

Initial investigations have revealed that the 26-year-old suspect, who is a resident of Valaichchenai, has planned the assassination plot. During a party held on 28 November at the hostel, where the suspect had been staying, he had informed the other youths about the assassination plot. The other youths who were arrested along with the suspect were released on bail.