TID arrests 02 more people for propagating extremism

Colombo (News 1st); The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) arrested two people from Oluvil on Wednesday (07) for propagating extremism.

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said the suspects aged 39-year-old and 30-year-old were arrested for the offense of conducting classes to spread the ideology of extremism. "They had used video footage and content of lectures from international terrorist organizations and organizations connected to extremism," he said. These classes were conducted for students who had faced the G. C. E. Ordinary Level examination and students were instructed to follow a physical fitness training course, said the Deputy Police Chief, adding students were also assaulted by the two suspects. "Sri Lanka Police traced several students who were reluctant to attend these classes and they will be subject to a Judicial Medical Officer," said DIG Ajith Rohana. In addition, the suspects were moved to the TID Headquarters in Colombo where they will be detained under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, he said. The suspects were guided by Zaharan Hashim, the leader of the group that carried out the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks, said DIG Ajith Rohana. "Several days ago two people were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department from Muttur for conducting similar classes and committing the same offenses," he said.