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Jailed former military chief in Sri Lanka claims life under threat
Colombo - The former head of Sri Lanka's armed forces, Sarath Fonseka, who spearheaded successful military operations against Tamil rebels and is currently serving a jail term, claimed on Tuesday he faced assassination.
Fonseka told the High Court an attack on him could come in jail or during transport to and from the court, where he is currently facing charges of bringing the military into disrepute and fostering ethnic tensions relating to the closing phases of the country's civil war.
'I have reliable information that there is a conspiracy to assassinate me while in jail or while being taken on the road,' Fonseka said.
A conspiracy aimed also to assassinate his wife, two daughters and other family members, he said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the president's brother, and those who had jailed him 'should take responsibility,' the former general said.
Fonseka has denied allegations that he brought the military into disrepute by giving an interview to a local newspaper in December 2009 after he stepped down from the military. The Sri Lankan civil war ended in May that year after some 26 years.
He was quoted by the Sunday Leader newspaper as saying that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had ordered that Tamil rebels were not to be spared, even if they surrendered.
Fonseka is reported to be closely guarded while in jail and during journeys to the court.
After falling out with the Rajapaksa family, he contested the January 2010 presidential elections and was arrested two weeks later.
He is currently serving a 30-month sentence after being found guilty by a military court for misappropriation of funds.
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