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Khuram Shaikh murder: DNA evidence delays Sri Lanka trial | Khuram Shaikh murder: DNA evidence delays Sri Lanka trial |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Problems with DNA evidence have delayed the prosecution of suspects over the murder of a Red Cross worker in Sri Lanka in 2011, British officials said. | Problems with DNA evidence have delayed the prosecution of suspects over the murder of a Red Cross worker in Sri Lanka in 2011, British officials said. |
Khuram Shaikh, 32, from Milnrow, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was shot and stabbed on Christmas Day 2011. | Khuram Shaikh, 32, from Milnrow, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was shot and stabbed on Christmas Day 2011. |
Eight people, including a Sri Lankan politician, were arrested and bailed in November. They all denied the charges. | Eight people, including a Sri Lankan politician, were arrested and bailed in November. They all denied the charges. |
The British High Commission in Colombo said the 18-month delay was "not a good message to tourists". | The British High Commission in Colombo said the 18-month delay was "not a good message to tourists". |
The Sri Lanka High Commission said the "Government Analyst's report relating to DNA evidence is awaited and all arrangements have been made to commence proceedings upon receipt of the same". | |
'Brutal attack' | 'Brutal attack' |
Robbie Bulloch, Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, said: "What we have been told is that they have been waiting for DNA evidence and that has been holding it up. | Robbie Bulloch, Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, said: "What we have been told is that they have been waiting for DNA evidence and that has been holding it up. |
"Why that should take 18 months to process I don't know, but what we have done from the very beginning is urge the government to take this very seriously. | "Why that should take 18 months to process I don't know, but what we have done from the very beginning is urge the government to take this very seriously. |
"It's a brutal attack, it's not a good message for a country which attracts very many British tourists each year." | "It's a brutal attack, it's not a good message for a country which attracts very many British tourists each year." |
Mr Shaikh, who graduated from Salford University, had been working in Gaza for the Red Cross, fitting prosthetics limbs. | Mr Shaikh, who graduated from Salford University, had been working in Gaza for the Red Cross, fitting prosthetics limbs. |
He was shot and stabbed when he and his Russian girlfriend, Victoria Aleksandrovna Tkacheva, were attacked on holiday in the resort of Tangalle. | He was shot and stabbed when he and his Russian girlfriend, Victoria Aleksandrovna Tkacheva, were attacked on holiday in the resort of Tangalle. |
In a statement, the Sri Lanka High Commission said the government of Sri Lanka "is committed to prosecute the persons responsible", with a "special prosecutor nominated by the Attorney-General to conduct the prosecution". | |
It confirmed the case had been transferred from Tangalle to Columbo Magistrates Court "to prevent the alleged intimidation of witnesses". | |
"These incidents, though extremely sad and unfortunate, have happened in many other tourist destinations in the past and can happen anywhere in the world," it said. | |
"This will by no means overshadow the warmth that is offered to tourists by our hospitable nation and its people". | |
'DNA evidence outstanding' | |
Mr Shaikh had been trying to break up a fight in the hotel bar. | |
His brother, Nasir, said: "There's still witness accounts outstanding, DNA evidence outstanding, 18 months on this should have been completed. We need a trial date set". | |
The Sri Lankan government has said it strongly condemned the killing, but Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said he was "extremely disappointed" with their response. | The Sri Lankan government has said it strongly condemned the killing, but Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said he was "extremely disappointed" with their response. |
He said: "They need to follow the rule of law and rise to the standards expected of Commonwealth countries. We need to pressurise the Sri Lankan government to ensure justice is done." | He said: "They need to follow the rule of law and rise to the standards expected of Commonwealth countries. We need to pressurise the Sri Lankan government to ensure justice is done." |
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