Your name will appear on the disappeared persons list' - Sri Lankan police warn Muslim journalist

Saheer Ahmed, a Muslim journalist who works for a major television channel based in Amparai, received a death threat a few days ago from a police officer from the Akkaraipattu station, prompting him to file an official complaint with the Deputy Inspector General of Police. 

Ahmed was travelling in his motorbike when the police officer in question arrived in his car and threatened him with disappearance and death if he did not obey his orders, which included dropping complaints of human rights abuses made against himself. 

Ahmed alleged that the police officer demanded that the complaints lodged against him with the police be withdrawn in addition to dropping the investigation into his human rights violations.

He further told the press that the officer threatened him with death if he did not fall in line. “Your name will appear in the disappeared persons list. We will bury you in the same cemetery,” the officer allegedly warned Ahmed.

The officer had also physically attacked the Muslim journalist earlier this year whilst he was reporting on a story and destroyed his camera. 

Ahmed has now filed a complaint with the Deputy Inspector General in Ampara against the officer who threatened him. ​

tamilguardian