Sri Lankan opposition parties have said they will mount a legal challenge to the detention of defeated presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka.
Gen Fonseka was arrested on Monday, accused of working with anti-government forces and planning a coup and assassinations. He denies the charges.
His wife has visited him, but his supporters say they fear for his life.
Their move comes after President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolved parliament, paving the way for early elections.
Mr Rajapaksa easily defeated Gen Fonseka in elections last month, but the general rejected the outcome.
In a joint statement, the opposition parties said they feared the general would be killed in detention.
"We have good reason to believe that the extra-judicial arrest of Gen Fonseka may be followed up with assassination while in custody," the statement said.
The opposition has also called for protests over the arrest.
"We will take this matter to courts, we will take it before the people and we will take it before the international community," said opposition legislator Rauf Hakeem.
No comments:
Post a Comment