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No closure for us, but judgment brings some peace—Victim’s brother
The trial of the murder of British national khuram Shaikh and gang rape and attempted murder of his partner Victoria Alexandrovna
Khuram Shaikh’s brother Nasser Shaikh addressing a news conference
ended on Friday with Colombo High Court judge Rohini Walgama sentencing four of the six accused including the former Chairman of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha to 20 years Rigorous Imprisonment. She found them guilty of multiple charges including culpable homicide, attempted murder and rape.
The trial which began in March and drew intense media attention ended with four of the men being convicted of all charges levelled against them. Two were acquitted of all charges. The Judge said that the prosecution could not prove any of the charges against them.
Judge Walgama took less than 20 minutes to deliver the guilty verdicts but prior to pronouncing sentence, she said, she reached her decision based on the analysis of evidence presented to court and had not been swayed by various views expressed in the media about the trial.
“Even though this is part of my work, it is more than a job to me . For me this is divine work (deva kariyak). I am giving this judgment in keeping with my conscience,” she said. Addressing the suspects
the former PS Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana
before delivering the guilty verdicts, the Judge said even though the appeal process is open to them, “ I am telling you to tap your conscience and see if you are guilty of this offence or not.”
The suspects showed little emotion as sentences were pronounced and their lawyers told journalists later they would appeal against the judgment. The suspects who made statements from the dock during the trial pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The former PS Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana who was kept in remand custody till the trial ended was led away in handcuffs by prison guards into a waiting prison van shortly after he was found guilty while the other convicts who had been on bail pending the completion of the trial were taken away several hours later after the legal formalities connected with their convictions were completed.
Victoria Alexandrovna leaving court. Pix by Indika Handuwala
Victoria Alexandrovna and Nassar Shaikh, the brother of the deceased were present in Court to hear the judgment along with officials of the British High Commission in Colombo. The judgment which was read out in Sinhala was translated to them into English by a High Commission official after Court proceedings adjourned.
Later a visibly relieved Nasser Shaikh made a brief statement to journalists outside the Court and
Welcomed the verdict:Deputy British High Commissioner
said the judgment has given some peace to his family more than two years and seven months after the harrowing events of December 26, 2011 – the day khuram (32) was murdered.
“I would also like to thank the British Government which has been instrumental in seeking answers for our family, the Sri Lankan officials for progressing the trial towards its resolution, but more importantly to acknowledge the bravery and defiance shown by those who gave witness accounts in the case,” he said in his statement.
“Closure for us is probably never going to happen. It will not happen just because a judgment is given but this will give us some peace,” Nasser later told a group of media personnel he met on Friday evening.
Nasser who called his mother in Britain to inform her of the judgment said he was a little disappointed
Others found guilty getting into the Black Maria
to find she had already got to know about it. “My mother has never accepted that she lost her son. I see the pain in her eyes every day,” he said.
Victoria who gave evidence before the High Court trial when it began in March made no comments after the judgment but wept briefly inside the Court house. “It was important for her. First she did it for khuram and then for herself. She learnt a lot about what happened that night once the re-trial started so it was a traumatic time for her. She needs a lot of support from her family and friends,” Nasser said.
Nasser who has visited Sri Lanka at least five times since the murder said he would continue to monitor the case if it goes through the appeal process.
The British High Commission too welcomed the verdicts. “We hope that this will bring some closure for his family and friends who have faced a long and difficult fight for justice.” The High Commission also praised the Attorney General’s Department officials who handled the entire prosecution saying they had “shown great professionalism and integrity.
Pic by Anurada Bandara
