Rizana's lawyers meet tribal leaders in Dawadmi

Mohammed Rasooldeen in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The lawyers of Rizana Nafeek, charged by a court in Dawadmi for murdering a four-month-old infant, met the tribal leaders in Dawadmi during the weekend to negotiate with the members of the victim's family.

Following a formal Iftar party, the lawyers explained to the leaders Rizana's plight and told them why Rizana should be pardoned on humanitarian grounds.

The legal firm, Khateb Al Shammary had filed an appeal against the judgment of Rizana sentenced to death by a three member bench on June 16 and her case is currently under review by a higher court of appeal.

"The lawyers meeting with the tribal leaders is an example of our efforts to save Rizana either through legal means or on humanitarian grounds," W.S.M.S. Wijesundera, charge de'affaires of the Sri Lankan Embassy told the Daily News yesterday.

He added that the lawyers have been trying all possible means to save the girl from the gallows.

The diplomat said the lawyers told him that the whole case is under study by the judiciary which would inform the date of the appeal (case) in due course.

Hong Kong based - Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) funded the legal fees of SR 150,000 to file an appeal against the judgement. The fund was collected by the commission from Sri Lankan expatriates working abroad.

Ceylinco Group headed by Deshamanya Lalith Kotelawela, contributed two thirds of the total legal fees.