Untitled Document

Front Page

Athas case bail appeal hearing tomorrow
By Laila Nasry
The two revision applications for bail pending appeal filed on behalf of the two Air Force officers convicted in the Iqbal Athas case which came up before the Court of Appeal was refixed for inquiry November 18 (tomorrow).

The Bench comprising Justices Raja Fernando and G.W. Edirisuriya granted further time in view of the point raised by defence counsel, whether the trial judge misdirected himself on the sentencing of the accused.

The question posed by court to the prosecution is whether the charge of house trespass which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years was established by the evidence placed before the High Court.

The two petitioner appellants Rukman Herath and Sujeewa Kannangara were convicted for house trespass and criminal intimidation of The Sunday Times Consultant Editor Iqbal Athas and his family and were sentenced to seven years RI each on the first count and two years RI each on the second count. They were also ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000, in default of which a further one year RI was imposed.

Senior State Counsel P.P. Surasena appeared for the prosecution. Mr. Gamini Marapone PC appeared on behalf of Rukman Herat and Ranjit Abeysuriya PC appeared on behalf of Sujeewa Kannangara.

Back to Front Page