2019 Easter Sunday attacks case (Prevention of Terrorism Act arrest)
Current status of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks case (Prevention of Terrorism Act arrest)
Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen were arrested by the CID on 24 April 2021 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over allegations of aiding and abetting the 2019 Easter Sunday bombers, and were further detained for 90 more days from 27 April 2021 (approximately 111 days held in total). On 2 November 2022, the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court ordered his release from the case on the Attorney General's advice that the charges could not be carried forward for insufficient evidence. Some reporting describes this outcome as an acquittal; the mechanism reported is the Attorney General declining to proceed rather than a trial verdict, and the precise procedural characterization (discharge vs. formal acquittal) has not been independently confirmed against a primary court record.
What’s happened
No arrest, charge, indictment, or finding of wrongdoing stands against Bathiudeen in this matter following his November 2022 release. This case is legally distinct from the September 2026 investigative reference in the separate Suresh Sallay proceeding (matter rishad-bathiudeen-02) and must not be merged with, or treated as reopening, it.
- Court
- Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
- Next hearing / due
- No upcoming hearing announced
2019 Easter Sunday attacks case (Prevention of Terrorism Act arrest) timeline
- 2 November 2022
Discharged
The Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court ordered his release from the case on the Attorney General's advice that the charges could not be carried forward for insufficient evidence. Some media reports describe this as an acquittal; Nadu records it as a discharge pending confirmation of the precise procedural mechanism against a primary court record.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
Sources (2)
- 24 April 2021
Arrested
Arrested by the CID, along with his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen, over alleged aiding and abetting of the 2019 Easter Sunday attackers.
Court: Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court
Sources (2)