Doctor Shafi Sihabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, who was acquitted of all charges linked to his arrest and detention in 2019, says he will initiate legal action against those responsible for making false allegations against him for political propaganda.
Speaking to the media following his acquittal today, Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen said his family had severely suffered due to the incident and trial that took place for over 05 years.
Extending his gratitude to lawyers, officials of the Attorney General’s Department, and the legal team that represented him since 2019, Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen also thanked his supporters, journalists, activists, politicians, and the public who had assisted him during this period.
“Today’s decision brings justice for us all. The trial shows how a few individuals used me as a pawn for their personal and political agendas to topple a government while deceiving an entire society and discriminating against the Muslim community,” he said.
Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen further vowed to work towards preventing others from enduring similar injustices, stating that the first step would be initiating legal action against his unlawful detention.
Dr. Shafi Sihabdeen’s comments come after the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court today acquitted him of all charges linked to his arrest and detention in 2019, on the Attorney General’s advice as the complainants had failed to prove their accusations.
In 2019, Dr. Sihabdeen was sent on compulsory leave after being accused of performing illegal sterilization operations at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.
He was arrested over allegations of the alleged sterilization of women without their consent. Dr. Sihabdeen was also accused of having amassed wealth in an illegal manner and maintaining links with a terrorist organization.
He was later released on bail by the Kurunegala Chief Magistrate after the Criminal Investigation Department informed the Court that investigations carried out had not proven any of the allegations. (Newswire)
