Families of 24 missing Tamil youth were left in fear following a court hearing in Jaffna on Wednesday after Sri Lankan military intelligence officers dressed in plain clothes filled the court room and surrounded family members as they left the building.
The hearing was regarding the disappearance of 24 Tamil youths who were arrested by army officers from the Navatkuli in 1996. They have not been seen since.
"When the families of the missing youth came outside, the military intelligence surrounded them," the lawyer for the families told journalists after the hearing.
Family members declined to give interviews to the press saying they were fearful of repurcussions.
The case was adjourned until July 11 by Justice Ilancheliyan.
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