Moulavi remanded over false 118 calls of attack in Akurana

Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe ordered to remand a 21-year-old youth until May 4. 

The suspect named Issadeen Mohammad Sajith, a resident of Batugoda in Harispattuwa.

He was arrested on charges of creating panic while spreading false information regarding a possible bomb attack on Akurana town and several other areas where there is a significant Muslim population. The person had allegedly called emergency hotline 118 about possible bomb attacks in Akurana and several areas.

The suspect had called about a bomb attack on Akurana town on April 18 and made a second call on April 19. Based on these two calls, the police also launched a special security programme in Akurana town and other parts of the country especially centering on Mosques and areas where the majority of Muslims live.

After identifying and arresting the young man, it is revealed that he had sent these messages without any knowledge of an impending attack and with the intention of misleading the public and creating panic.

Police say that this suspect is a Moulavi. In 2016, after receiving education in a madrasa school he had become a Moulavi and he is not engaged in a permanent job or business.