Muslim prisoners severely beaten in Badulla prison

Four of the detainees were assaulted by other inmates who had called them ISIS terrorists. The wounded detainees were hospitalized. We have already written to the HRC and urged they be transferred to a safer prison

One person had not been discharged from the hospital yet. Although the family members requested the prison to provide information about him, they were not informed of his condition and the detainees had been in the prison for more than 30 months

Sometimes the families do not know where they are.  There is only a limited interaction with the family. These families are very poor. When these suspects are taken to faraway places, it is difficult for them to visit their relatives

The inmates of the Badulla prison last Friday allegedly attacked the Muslim suspects who have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday massacre. Four of the suspects had suffered severe injuries and were admitted to the hospital. The detainees had been attacked by other prisoners claiming they were ISIS terrorists.

According to family members, three of the injured have returned to prison after receiving treatment and one is still under treatment for serious injuries. His family has complained to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) about the incident. The family members urged that the suspects be transferred to a safer prison. The complaints state that one suspect’s jaw bones were damaged. The Prisons Department and the Badulla Police are investigating.

Mohommad Nawsath, the brother of the suspect Rafeek Risvan said, “My brother in the prison is already suffering from cancer. He is weak and pale. Some inmates had tried to beat him but because of his weak physique he had collapsed suddenly and had suffered injuries. We urge the relevant authorities to ensure that the suspects are safe.”

Mohommad Rizwan is another victim who had been brutally beaten. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Rizwan’s wife Fathima Assrin said, “One of his hands was badly injured. He is discharged from the hospital now. We have written to the HRC and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). We hope justice would be done.”

Speaking to the Daily Mirror one suspect’s brother-in-law said, “This time four of the detainees were assaulted by other detainees who had called them ISIS terrorists. The wounded detainees were hospitalized. We have already written to the HRC and urged they be transferred to a safer prison.” He said from time to time they have been harassed. There were instances where these detainees had been shifted to separate cells to prevent any harm from those calling these Muslims as ISIS terrorists.  

In Badulla prison, there are nine Muslim detainees who have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act after the Easter Sunday attacks. Four of them have been severely beaten up by other prisoners who had called them ISIS terrorists  

- Shreen Saroor Human Rights Activist

Shreen Saroor, a human rights activist speaking to the Daily Mirror said, “In Badulla prison, there are nine Muslim detainees who have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act after the Easter Sunday attacks. Four of them have been severely beaten up by other prisoners who had called them ISIS terrorists.  On Sunday, I called the Badulla HRC office and they said three of the suspects have been discharged from hospital.  On Monday some of the victims’ family members had gone to the Badulla prison and found that three of the injured suspects had been discharged from hospital. They suffered severe head and jaw injuries. 

Ms. Saroor said one person had not been discharged from the hospital yet. “Although the family members requested the prison to provide information about him, they were not informed of his condition.” She said the detainees had been in the prison for more than 30 months. 

All the injured suspects have been discharged from hospital and two of the suspects have been transferred to another prison while investigations are being conducted  
- Chandana Ekanayake 
Prisons Spokesman

Saroor said the suspects who were arrested over the Easter Sunday carnage were being transferred from one prison to another. “Sometimes the families do not know where they are.  There is only a limited interaction with the family. These families are very poor. When these suspects are taken to faraway places, it is difficult for them to visit their relatives. There is no much communication. Even when they visit, they are allowed only for about five minutes. The intimidation in the prison itself is pathetic. Even when the Muslim women visit the prison they are called ISIS terrorists. It is about 33 months since they were taken into custody and no charges have still been filed against them.”
 
Referring to the incident Prisons Spokesman, Chandana Ekanayake said all the injured suspects had been discharged from hospital and two of the suspects had been transferred to another prison while investigations were being conducted.