HC acquits PTA accused in conspiracy case

[TamilNet, Friday, 17 May 2002, 17:22 GMT]
The Colombo High Court Friday acquitted an accused indicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for conspiring to assassinate President Chandrika Kumaratunge in 1995.

"The prosecution solely depends on the confession purported to have been made by the accused. The court is of opinion that the confession of the accused is not a voluntary one. Hence I acquit the accused," said High Court Judge Mr.S.Sriskandarajah in his order.

After trial the defene submitted to court that the confession obtained from the accused was not a voluntary one. Under duress the accused had signed the confession.

The accused Thurairajasingham Ravindran of Trincomalee was indicted by the Attorney General for conspiring with to kill President Chandrika between January 1 and 30th November 1995.