The High Court in Puttalam refused denied bail to Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah on Friday on the ground that it has no jurisdiction to grant such bails.
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 defense makes an application for bail at the Puttalam High Court when the case is taken up for hearing Friday.Jan 28.
The Puttalam High Court judge said that it is not under her jurisdiction to issue such bails, 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.
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.