Print this Email this

Detained journalist freed in Sri Lanka

9 November 2009, 12:06PM

The police Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) had arrested Vettivel Jasikaran on suspicion of "terrorism-related activities," and his wife Valarmathi Jasikaran as an accessory, under emergency regulations, on 6 March 2008. Vettivel Jasikaran is a writer, publisher and manager of the news website Outreach Sri Lanka.

On 8 June 2008 Vettivel and Valarmathi Jasikaran filed a fundamental rights case at the Supreme Court, stating that their arrest and detention was illegal and that Vettivel had been tortured in TID custody. The Ministry of Defence extended their detention under emergency regulations on 30 June 2008.

After nearly six months detained without charge, Vettivel Jasikaran was indicted on 27 August 2008 for "inciting communal disharmony" by printing, publishing and distributing the magazine North Eastern Monthly. Valarmathi was charged with aiding and abetting her husband.

Almost a year after their trial began, on 26 October the Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal of the Jasikarans' fundamental rights petition and acquitted them of all charges.

Many thanks to all who sent appeals.

Features and analysis

Alyawarr women

Healthy homelands

An Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory is showing the government how to close the health gap.

A pregnant woman in Sierra Leone

Childbirth in Sierra Leone

Many women in Sierra Leone spend the final months of pregnancy and agonising hours of childbirth fearing for their lives.

cards of support created by Australian children

Harming Children

Professor Louise Newman explains how detaining children on Christmas Island is likely to affect their mental health.

These features are taken from our Human Rights Defender magazine - subscribe free now

Sorry, commenting is no longer available in this weblog entry.

Make an impact

You can make a difference right now. Your action will help to shine the light of hope into people's lives across the world.

You can make a difference right now. Your action will help shine the light of hope into people's lives across the world.

Check out what 110,752 people are doing right now to support human rights.

Act now

Stay Informed

Sign up for email updates

Subscribe using RSS

Get Involved

Two Columbian boys smiling and holding their arms out with their thumbs up - a sign of hope

Amnesty International relies on your support to continue our vital work protecting human rights. Please help us keep governments accountable, bring the guilty to justice, and save lives.

Donate