Thirteen 'avaa' members remanded

By Shehan Chamika Silva

The Thirteen suspects arrested by the TID in connection with committing offences fell under Prevention of Terrorism Act by creating a Organisation called 'Avaa' associating with ex-LTTE members to make unnecessary resistance to the State, were ordered to be remanded till November 30 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attigalle.

They were apprehended by the TID in Jaffna for committing offences fell under the section 7(2) of the PTA.

TID told court that the suspects had the influence of a former LTTE member called 'Sanna', who was one of the main operators of the alleged Avaa group, and yet to be arrested.

The prosecution also alleged that the the so called Avaa group had been funded by the tamil diaspora.

Appearing for the suspects, Counsel Pradeep Gamage and xx said that the arrested suspects are just innocent young Individuals as some of them are still students.

Defence also moved a legal objection on the prosecution's tendency towards filing allegations under PTA since the offences should be under the penal code.

Only because of some main culprits are former LTTE members, TID tend to interpret those offences under PTA and it was a discriminative move towards those who are rehabilitated, Defence said.

The Magistrate observing the Defence stance directed the prosecution to submit a comprehensive report as to on which grounds and evidence the suspects could be found guilty under PTA on the next date.