(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist Jasikaran’s family threatened It has been reported to FMM that an unidentified caller has threatened the family of Jasikaran (also spelt Jasiharan). Jasikaran is the journalist/manager who was arrested along with journalist Tissainayagam under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act. The family has received three […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release:
Journalist Jasikaran’s family threatened
It has been reported to FMM that an unidentified caller has threatened the family of Jasikaran (also spelt Jasiharan).
Jasikaran is the journalist/manager who was arrested along with journalist Tissainayagam under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The family has received three threatening phone calls on 25th and 26th November. They live in a remote village in Batticoloa District, in the volatile East of Sri Lanka. The caller has been demanding a ransom of Rs. 100,000 to ensure Jasikaran’s safety in the prison.
The caller has threatened the family that Jasikaran will be killed if the ransom is not paid within three days.
A member of Jasikaran’s family has made a complaint regarding these telephone threats to Kalavanchikudi police station in Batticoloa district. When FMM contacted the police station, the duty officer indicated they were unable to take any action, as there was no identified number of the caller.
Jasikaran and Tissainayagam were arrested in early March 2008. Also, Jasikaran’s fiancée was also arrested at the same time.
The family is currently living in fear for their own life and also the life of Jasikaran.
FMM urges authorities to immediately investigate these threats and provide increased security to Jasikaran in prison, and ensure the safety of his family in their remote village in Batticoloa.
Updates the Jasikaran (Jaseeharan, Jasiharan, Jesiharan) case: http://ifex.org/en/content/view/full/96935
