Colombo Additional Magistrate Shehan Amarasinghe yesterday (08) ordered the release of Rashid Akbar, the former leader of Jamaat-e-Islam, who was arrested in March 2021 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Rashid Akbar, who was arrested on the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the Easter attack, was accused of promoting Wahhabism in the country. 

However, as the Attorney General's Department has informed the court that there is no objection to the release of Rashid Akbar as the investigations against him have been completed, the Additional Magistrate of Colombo proceeded to release him.

It is also reported that Rashid Akbar's passport, which was in the custody of the court, has also been handed over to him.