Suspect in Rizana’s case tried for child trafficking

By T. Farook Thajudeen

At the onset of the Rizana Nafeek child trafficking case before the Colombo High Court, Senior State Counsel addressing the court, contended that Nafeek, who was sent to Saudi Arabia on forged documents by the accused in the case, is presently on death row and her fate exclusively depends on the action taken against the accused by the Sri Lankan government.

He said the international community is watching us as to what action we take against the accused and thus to make the international community aware that the Sri Lanka government is very concerned over this issues and would deal sternly with the culprits, to accelerate  the trial and not postpone the hearing any further.

On considering the submissions of the State Counsel Deleepa Pieris, High Court Judge Sunil Rajapaksa heard the case against the suspect Shahul Hameed Mohamadu Abdul Latiff, Pakeer Mohideen Wajurdeen and Kamsa Lebbe Abdul Salam

Senior State Counsel Deleepa Pieris led the evidence of the parents of Rizana Nafeek during the trial.

Rizana’s mother  Seyadu Ahamadu Fareena and father Mohamed Nafeek testifying before the High Court  stated that they lived a hand to mouth  existence and their living became more difficult due to LTTE activities during the period..

They also said they find it difficult to earn their daily living and Nafeek, who is the eldest among four children, consented to go to Middle East for employment to ease the family’s burden.  They said the accused Shahul Hameed Mohamadu Abdul Latiff, who is a neighbour of theirs, willingly volunteered to send Rizana to Saudi Arabia for foreign employment.

The witnesses said they did not pay any money to Latiff. The hearing was postponed for January 16. A special team of police on the direction of SP Jayasuriya of the Human Traffic Unit of the CID conducted investigations following a complaint made by Seyadu.  

Rizana Nafeek was sentenced to be beheaded according to the Sharia Law for the alleged choking a 17 month old infant, of her employer, to death while bottle feeding.

The Attorney General indicted the suspects for aiding and abetting to send Nafeek on forged birth certificates to Saudi Arabia to work as a housemaid.