Sri Lankan ‘sniper’ released after 3 years in jail

Sri Lankan citizen Lahiru Madushanka, accused of being a sniper contracted to assassinate former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, has been released from detention.

Lahiru Madushanka has arrested on December 17, 2015, and was kept in detention for three years and 11 months without any conviction.

The State prosecution withdrew the charges of conspiracy to commit a murder and accessory to a conspiracy to commit a murder against Lahiru Madushanka last Wednesday.

Lahiru Madushanka’s attorney, Fareesha Abdulla said her client was released from detention after the charges were withdrawn. He has now travelled back to Sri Lanka.

Charges have been also withdrawn against the co-defendants in the case; former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, Fazeel Hameed and Ishaaq Hussain.