Wife of Suresh Salay writes to Catholic Bishops’ Conference seeking intervention

19-Jun-2026

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The wife of detained former intelligence chief Suresh Salay has urged the Catholic Bishops’ Conference to intervene, claiming that the fundamental legal principle of presumption of innocence has been ignored in her husband’s case.

In a letter addressed to Archbishop Dr. Anthony Pereira and other bishops, she said her husband is being publicly portrayed as the “mastermind” of the Easter Sunday attacks even before any court verdict.

She noted that he served over 35 years in the armed forces under five presidents and has not been named as a suspect in findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, the FBI, or Australian Federal Security investigations.

She further alleged that he has been subjected to torture and degrading treatment in custody, resulting in severe psychological distress, as confirmed by medical reports. She warned that even an eventual acquittal cannot undo years of reputational and emotional damage.

The letter calls on the Church to examine whether public identification of a suspect as the principal conspirator is consistent with principles of justice, truth and compassion.