CID asked to make arrangements for Rishad to attend parliamentary sessions in requested

The Serjeant-at-Arms Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been informed to make necessary arrangements for MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who is currently under arrest, to attend parliamentary proceedings if requested.

A letter has been directed to the Director of the CID by Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando, on the instructions of Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Accordingly, the CID has been instructed to escort MP Rishad Bathiudeen to the Parliament premises at 9.30 am on May 04 and 05 if he makes a request to attend the parliamentary sessions. They are further instructed to ensure compliance to with COVID-19 guidelines during the process.

The CID had arrested MP Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen on April 24 for allegedly aiding and abetting the suicide bombers who perpetrated the deadly terror attacks on April 21, 2019.

The duo was initially interrogated under a 72-hour detention order obtained by the CID under the provisions of Article 6(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

However, a subsequent detention was obtained pursuant to Article 9(1) of the PTA in order to interrogate the two brothers further.