A 21-year-old Sri Lankan student has been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for nearly 9 months over an Instagram video of him stepping on the Israeli flag. No charges have been filed. Rights groups are calling it a blatant abuse of power.
Sri Lankan Student Jailed for 9 Months Over Instagram Video Trampling Israeli Flag; No Charges Filed Yet
In a deeply controversial case that has drawn widespread attention, a 21-year-old Sri Lankan student has been held in custody for nearly nine months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) after allegedly posting a video on Instagram of himself trampling on the Israeli flag. According to a report by BBC Sinhala, the student, Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhail, remains behind bars without formal charges.
Suhail, an aviation student hailing from Mawanella in the Kegalle District, was initially arrested by the Dehiwala Police in October 2024. The arrest occurred near the Israeli consular premises, where he was stopped for not carrying his national identity card. Upon producing the ID, the court released him without conditions.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Suhail was re-arrested shortly after under the PTA due to the viral video on his Instagram account showing him stepping on the Israeli flag. Legal experts argue that no official complaint or sufficient evidence has been filed to justify the extended detention. The Prevention of Terrorism Act, which has long faced criticism for enabling prolonged imprisonment without trial, is again under fire.
Suhail’s lawyer confirmed that although the court had released him once before, police authorities used the PTA to re-detain him without bringing any formal charges. Despite inquiries and mounting pressure, the police have not presented any clear evidence of wrongdoing. Human rights activists warn that the incident could be a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression and digital rights in Sri Lanka.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has been officially notified by Suhail’s family, who have also lodged a complaint, claiming the detention is unjust and politically motivated. Rights organizations and civil society groups have condemned the prolonged use of the PTA in what they describe as a minor social media incident being exaggerated into a national security issue.
Sources close to the investigation indicate that the case is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, July 9. Until then, Mohamed Suhail remains in remand custody, raising serious questions about the misuse of anti-terror laws, the erosion of legal due process, and the shrinking space for online freedom.
