The Puttalam High Court has refused to grant bail to Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah who has been detained for over 20 months.
The Puttalam High Court judge has refused the bail order as it is not under her jurisdiction, despite the Attorney General consenting to bail.
The judge further informed the defense to request bail from the Court of Appeal on the 9th of February 2022.
On 20th January, the Attorney General’s (AG) Department said it has no objections to releasing Hizbullah on bail subject to conditions.
The AG’s Department informed the Court of Appeal that the bail will be granted only if the defence makes an application for bail at the Puttalam High Court when the case is taken up for hearing today.
Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah was arrested in April 2020 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and has been in remand custody for over 20 months.
An indictment had been served on Hejaaz Hizbullah under the PTA and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act accusing him of making certain statements to students in contravention of these laws. (NewsWire)
🚨CASE UPDATE
The Puttalam High Court judge has refused the bail order as it is not under her jurisdiction, despite the Attorney General consenting to bail. #JusticeForHejaaz #FreeHejaaz https://t.co/vP23wjTEoV— Justice For Hejaaz (@Justice4Hejaaz) January 28, 2022