CID's decision to release Riyaj Bathiudeen unjustified - AG

The Attorney General has informed the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) that stalling investigations in the case of Riyaj Bathiudeen by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is unjustified. 

The AG's Coordinating Officer, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne stated that the AG held a discussion today with Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the CID Prasad Ranasinghe, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and CID Director Prasanna De Alwis, Superindent of Police (SP) Vijitha Perera and Chief Inspector (CI) Sugath Kumara. 

Ms Jayaratne noted that Riyaj Bathiudeen was taken into CID custody on April 14 based on seven phone conversations he had with Cinnamon Grand suicide bomber Insaf Ahamed. Two detention orders had been obtained against Riyaj Bathiudeen on April 17 and July 13. Though the last detention order was to expire on October 13, the CID had concluded its investigation on September 6, with former DIG in charge of the CID, making a request on September 28 for the detention order to be cancelled. Mr Bathiudeen had then been released on September 30. 

During the AG's discussion with the above mentioned officers today, it had been noted that through their actions to wind up the probe and release Riyaj Bathiudeen, the former DIG in charge of the CID, Nuwan Wedasinghe and Director Prasanna De Alwis, further investigations into the matter had stopped, though the probe should have continued, the AG's COO stated. She added that it was further observed that the decision to release Riyaj Bathiudeen was unjustifed. 

It was further noted that no investigation had been conducted on Riyaj Bathiudeen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, including into his assets, business, vehicles and bank accounts. It was also pointed out that the CID Director had tasked an officer who had no knowledge or experience in investigating money laundering activities to investigate the case. Moreover, it came to light that no proper investigation had been conducted into terrorist financing. 

Though Riyaj Bathiudeen had used 16 mobile phones, 12 of these have not been recovered and a proper investigation had not been conducted to recover the missing phones, it was further revealed at the discussion, Ms Jayaratne added. 

The AG had given written instructions today on how the probe into the case should be continued. The CID was further instructed to hand over the investigation files within one month. The AG also noted that given that the investigation had not properly ended, the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen was unjustified.