The CID yesterday (Jan. 18) told Colombo Chief Magistrate Mohamed Mihal that an investigation had been launched into the circulation of nearly Rs. 70 million in an account operated by a person who has been arrested for inciteful content on Facebook.

The CID also informed the court that the suspect, Mohammad Fazl Nizar, a resident of Dehiwala, had been involved in a number of activities on the internet to promote extremism.

The CID further told the court that the suspect had published information on his Facebook account that could disrupt public order and inter-ethnic harmony as well as promote extremism.

The suspect has been remanded in custody as he has committed offenses under sections 03 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act No. 56 of 2007, Section 120 of the Penal Code of Ceylon and Act 06 (1) of the Computer Crimes Act No. 24 of 2007. The Criminal Investigation Department had submitted facts to the court on the 11th. Accordingly, the court had ordered that the suspect be remanded until yesterday (18).

The court was also briefed that the CID was yet to receive information on six other bank accounts owned by the suspect.

Due to these circumstances, the CID stated that under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 48 of 1979, the suspect is required to be detained in his department for 90 days and interrogated.