SC admits petition challenging Fonsekas arrest

Sri Lankas Supreme Court admitted a petition challenging the arrest of defeated Presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka and said it will hear the case on February 23.

Sri Lankas Supreme Court today admitted a petition challenging the arrest of defeated Presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka and said it will hear the case on February 23.

The court admitted Fundamental Rights petition filed by Anoma Fonseka,wife of the former Army Chief,that seeks the right to freedom from torture,arbitrary arrest and detention.

In her petition,Anoma had asked the court to rule her husbands arrest as illegal and order the government to allow the family of Fonseka to visit him.

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Meanwhile,Attorney General gave an undertaking that General Fonseka will not be transferred from the place where he is being detained at the moment,the Daily Mirror online reported.

Local media reports said the court will consider granting interim relief in the case on February 23.

The petitioner has sought the release of Fonseka until the final determination of the Fundamental Rights application as well as direct the Attorney General to immediately summon the relevant officers concerned.

Fonseka was arrested on Monday from his office in Colombo by the Army for allegedly planning a coup against the government while in service.

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Todays order came as opposition parties protested against Fonsekas arrest and demanded his immediate release.

At least five people were injured when a protest campaign organised was stoned in Anuradhapura in North Central Sri Lanka today,a JVP spokesman said.