Mohamed Sulthan, the coordinator of Save the Pearls, has told the Fort Magistrates Court that he was tortured in order to implicate the prominent Muslim human rights lawyer, Hejaaz Hizbullah.
Sulthan's defence lawyer detailed the names of three Terrorist Investigation Department officers who he alleges undertook the torture. Sulthan was originally arrested under allegations of teaching "extremism" at a Madrasa school and has been detained for 18 months.
In his account, he noted the assault and torture he endured as well as the damage to his spinal area which continues to afflict him. Despite the plea for him to be released on bail, the courts have maintained that he remain in custody till 10 November.
The court has requested for prison officials to produce the suspect before a Judicial Medical Officer and provide necessary medical treatment. They have also requested an inquiry into the assault which will be assessed at the next hearing.
According to a prison study by Sri Lanka's Human Rights Commission, 84% of men detained under Sri Lanka's draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act reported suffering torture after arrest. 90% state that they were forced to sign confessions after torture. 95% said that the document they were forced to sign was in Sinhala, a language that they did not know.
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