Image: Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhail
The case of 21-year-old Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhail, who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and imprisoned for nearly nine months over an alleged social media post protesting Israel, was scheduled to be heard today (09 July) at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.
Suhail, a resident of Mawanella, was initially arrested by Dehiwala Police in October last year under the PTA. Authorities charged him with posting a video on Instagram in which he is seen trampling on the Israeli flag.
On October 23, Suhail was first arrested near the Israeli Consulate for not carrying his national identity card. He was released the next day after presenting the document in court. However, later that day, Dehiwala Police summoned him to the station to record a statement, and two days later, he was produced before the Acting Magistrate and remanded under the PTA.
The youth’s legal counsel, also named Mohammed Suhail, argued that his client was re-arrested under the PTA solely for sharing the video clip on Instagram.