Nine army intelligence officers indicted in connection with the abduction and murder of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda were today ordered to be remanded till June 13 by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar.

They were remanded over an allegation that they had interfered with the prosecution witnesses in the case, which tends to prejudice a fair trial. The nine accused were granted bail at the inception of the trial, on the condition that they refrain from interfering with the witnesses in the case.

Attorney General filed indictments comprising 17 charges against nine army intelligence officers attached to the Giritale Army camp in connection with the abduction and murder of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

The Attorney General had named Lieutenant Colonel Shammi Arjun Kumararatne, R.M.P.K. Rajapaksa alias Nadan, W. W. Priyantha Dilanjan Upasena alias Suresh, S.M. Ravindra Rupasena alias Ranji, Y.M Chaminda Kumara Abeyratne, S. M. Kanishka Gunaratne, Aiyyasami Balasubramaniyam, D.G.T Prasad Gamage and T.E.R. Pieris as the accused in the case.