Four Maldivians who were arrested in Sri Lanka in connection to the attacks that took place in the country on Easter Sunday will be released on Monday.
The Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka confirmed that four out of the six arrested Maldivians will be released on Monday while the remaining two suspects have been remanded 13 days in custody.
Maldivian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Umar Abdul Razzaq revealed to AVAS that the court has informed through their lawyers to pick up the four engineering students who were arrested after an air gun under a fake license was found in their home during a search operation.
“We have now informed their families to fetch them from the court on Monday. We have been informed that they will be released after being taken to court”, said the Ambassador.
The Mount Lavinia Magistrate Court on Saturday extended the remand of two Maldivians arrested in Nugegoda. They were arrested when a book which contained information on terrorist organization ‘Islamic State’ (IS) was found in their home.
AVAS understands that the book found in their home belongs to a Maldivian international relations student staying at their house, who is currently on holiday in Maldives. The two men will be presented to court next on May 10.
While the hunt for the perpetrators behind Sunday’s attack is in full swing, random house searches are being carried out all over Sri Lanka. During such searches, residences where Maldivians are staying at are also being inspected, and issues of expired visas of Maldivians have been noticed by Sri Lankan authorities.
Over 15,000 Maldivians reside in Sri Lanka, with many Maldivians describing the neighboring island nation as their second home. It has been reported that Maldivians are suffering the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, with women wearing the hijab not being allowed into large supermarkets and shops.
The Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka on Saturday said the embassy would remain open over the weekend for those seeking consular services.
253 people died and over 500 people were wounded in a series of bomb blasts that targeted churches and high-end hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Over 40 people have been arrested in connection to the blasts, with ISIS claiming responsibility for the attacks.
