29 October 2009

Alert

Discharge of magazine publisher and partner welcomed


Incident details

Charges dismissed

Vetrivel Jasiharan, Publisher
Vadivel Vallarmathy,
(IFJ/IFEX) - October 27, 2009 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes a decision by a court in Sri Lanka to order the release of magazine publisher Vetrivel Jasiharan and his partner Vadivel Vallarmathy, after 19 months' detention on charges of terrorism.

Yesterday's summary judicial order discharging Jasiharan and Vallarmarthy was issued after the state attorney reportedly informed the court that there was no evidence linking them with any terrorist act or organisation.

Jasiharan and Vallarmathy were arrested by Sri Lankan police from their office premises in March 2008. Jasiharan was the owner of OutreachSL.com, a website edited by J.S. Tissainayagam.

The day following the arrest of Jasiharan and Vallarmathy, Tissainayagam was taken into custody when he went to the police station to inquire about his colleagues.

In August 2008, charges were laid separately against Jasiharan and Vallarmathy on one side, and Tissainayagam on the other, under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Tissainayagam was convicted on August 31 this year. His conviction is currently under appeal.

"The IFJ welcomes this judicial order and wishes Jasiharan and Vallarmathy the peace and quiet they need after 19 months' detention," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.


Source:

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
 

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From other IFEX members

Publisher released; journalist remains imprisoned (WiPC)

More on this case

Safe passage for Tissainayagam just one step toward free media in Sri Lanka, says IFJ 24 June 2010 Freed Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam arrives in United States 22 June 2010 Pardon of journalist welcome, needs clarification, says CPJ 4 May 2010 Critical journalist granted bail 12 January 2010 FMM, media groups urge president to free Tissanayagam 23 September 2009 IFJ welcomes expert report on jailing of journalist 16 September 2009 Journalist sentenced to 20-year jail term under terror law 1 September 2009 Journalist's detention extended for 90 days, still held without charge 11 June 2008 Detained journalists tortured, kept in inhumane conditions 21 May 2008 Journalist, press owners still detained by TID without explanation 26 March 2008 Three journalists released by Terrorist Information Department; two remain in custody 19 March 2008 Detained Tamil journalists badly beaten by police 13 March 2008 Journalists detained and questioned by Terrorist Investigations Department 10 March 2008

Sri Lanka

FMM voices concern over allegations in "Dinamina" newspaper article 7 February 2012 Web censorship targeting critical voices 10 November 2011 Death threats against newspaper editor 4 November 2011 Network chairman, general manager receive death threats 28 October 2011 Access to anti-government website blocked 20 October 2011 See all alerts: Sri Lanka


 
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