Still in custody General Fonseka launches candidacy for parliamentary elections
Colombo (AsiaNews) - General Sarath Fonseka, who was arrested after his defeat in the presidential election, appears set for the parliamentary elections of 8 April, as leader of an opposition alliance. The campaign, which begins today, will be led by his wife Anoma Fonseka (pictured), the only person who can visit the Navy headquarters in Colombo, where he is in custody.
The woman immediately before depositing his signed application to the secretary of the coalition Vijitha Herath said that "this is the first time in our history that such an important document has been signed in detention," and expressed the hope that there is "a general vote in favour of General Fonseka”. The former commander of the Army is competing in the district of Colombo, under the symbol of a "trophy."
Sarath Fonseka was arrested immediately after the elections on charges of preparing a coup. His candidacy was declared on 26 February, the day after the government announced that he will face fresh charges ahead of the civil court in the coming weeks, as well as a court marshal, the date of which has yet to be established. According to the Minister for Trade G.L. Peris, Fonseka will be charged with electoral fraud and conspiracy against the government for inciting protests in the military and having favoured deserters.
The General presented himself at the presidential elections of 26 January as the main opposition candidate to outgoing President Rajapaksa. After the defeat he contested the result and was arrested by military police a few days later.
Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa told foreign media that there is clear evidence that he abused his military position for political ends and that "one must also act to prevent this from happening again in future."
But General Fonseka denies the accusation and charges that the government wants to persecute him for his candidacy as a political alternative to President Rajapaksa and to prevent him from participating in parliamentary elections in April.
His political supporters also say that the government fears that Fonseka wants to promote an international investigation into war crimes committed by the government in the fight against the Tamil Tigers.
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