Lawyers representing multiple murderer Muhammed Raheesh Isoof have filed an application for leave to appeal against conviction and sentence of Mr Isoof to the full court of Court of Appeal.
Lawyer Iqbal Khan has filed 24 grounds of appeal to the full bench after a single bench appeals judge, Justice Chandana Prematilaka didn’t grant leave to appeal on Mr Isoof’s conviction or sentence in his February 2 ruling.
“I wish to advice that the judgment by the single judge was done in haste.
“If you peruse the previous rulings on leave application the single judge always cites legal authorities to support his rulings,” said Mr Khan.
“In our case if you see our grounds of appeal no legal authorities were cited and our authorities were not considered.
“Our clients leave application was heard on August 23, 2023 and despite several requests the single judge, Prematilaka J, took over 5 months to give his ruling after being pressured by defence.
“We have filed our leave application and appeal to full court before the three judges on February 12, 2024. We have now filed our leave to appeal against conviction and sentence to the full court of Court of Appeal.”