COLOMBO : Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department early Saturday morning, April 24.
Before the arrest MP Bathiudeen tweeted that his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen was also arrested.
“The CID has been standing outside my house in Boudhaloka Mawatha since 1.30 am today attempting to arrest me without a charge. They have already arrested my brother. I have been in Parliament, and have cooperated with all lawful authorities until now. This is unjust.” MP Bathiudeen said in his twitter account.
Confirming the arrest, his secretary told Colombo Times that MP Bathiudeen was arrested by the CID around 3 am from his residence in Colombo,while his brother Riyaj was apprehended around 1.30am on Saturday .
In a video message circulated over the social media, Rishath Bathiudeen has said that the officers did not have any warrant or permission from the Speaker for his arrest since he is a parliamentarian. “I am a party leader which has four members in the parliament and some 169 elected members in the local bodies,”he said. He added that it is a clear political revenge carried out in an undemocratic manner.
He also said that he heads an Islamic political party and this arrest is an undue suppression against a minority Muslim community .
