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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK arrests in Tamil Tigers probe | UK arrests in Tamil Tigers probe |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Three men have been arrested by counter-terror police as part of an investigation into the Tamil Tigers. | Three men have been arrested by counter-terror police as part of an investigation into the Tamil Tigers. |
| The arrests are said to be part of a long-term investigation into the Sri-Lankan-based group. | The arrests are said to be part of a long-term investigation into the Sri-Lankan-based group. |
| Two men, aged 39 and 46, were arrested in dawn raids at separate addresses in Newtown, Powys, and a third, aged 33, arrested in Mitcham, south-west London. | Two men, aged 39 and 46, were arrested in dawn raids at separate addresses in Newtown, Powys, and a third, aged 33, arrested in Mitcham, south-west London. |
| All three were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. | All three were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. |
| A raid also took place in Surrey, Scotland Yard said. | A raid also took place in Surrey, Scotland Yard said. |
| Community reassured | Community reassured |
| The men are to be questioned at the high-security Paddington Green police station in central London. | The men are to be questioned at the high-security Paddington Green police station in central London. |
| A Scotland yard spokesman said: "This is part of a long-term investigation into alleged funding and procurement activity in support of terrorism overseas and two people have already been charged in connection with this investigation. | A Scotland yard spokesman said: "This is part of a long-term investigation into alleged funding and procurement activity in support of terrorism overseas and two people have already been charged in connection with this investigation. |
| "It is not linked to al-Qaeda type activity or inspired terrorism. It is in relation to support, procurement and fundraising for a proscribed organisation, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam [Tamil Tigers]." | "It is not linked to al-Qaeda type activity or inspired terrorism. It is in relation to support, procurement and fundraising for a proscribed organisation, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam [Tamil Tigers]." |
| Dyfed Powys Police stressed there was no risk to people in Newtown and that the arrests were in relation to alleged support of terrorism overseas. | Dyfed Powys Police stressed there was no risk to people in Newtown and that the arrests were in relation to alleged support of terrorism overseas. |
| A spokeswoman said: "The investigation is not linked to al-Qaeda and we don't believe there was a risk to the local community." | A spokeswoman said: "The investigation is not linked to al-Qaeda and we don't believe there was a risk to the local community." |
| She said letters had been posted through doors of properties close to where searches were being carried out in a bid to reassure local residents. She said these searches were expected to go on for some time but efforts would be made to keep disruption to a minimum. | She said letters had been posted through doors of properties close to where searches were being carried out in a bid to reassure local residents. She said these searches were expected to go on for some time but efforts would be made to keep disruption to a minimum. |
| Military equipment | Military equipment |
| Two men from south London have already appeared in court charged with terror offences in connection with the investigation. | Two men from south London have already appeared in court charged with terror offences in connection with the investigation. |
| One is accused of arranging meetings of the Tamil Tigers and addressing an event in Hyde Park, central London. | One is accused of arranging meetings of the Tamil Tigers and addressing an event in Hyde Park, central London. |
| He is also accused of amassing a hoard of military equipment including machetes, combat boots, camouflage clothes, spades and handcuffs. He denies the offences. | He is also accused of amassing a hoard of military equipment including machetes, combat boots, camouflage clothes, spades and handcuffs. He denies the offences. |
| In November, the leader of a breakaway faction of the Tamil Tigers, Colonel Karuna Amman, was arrested in a joint operation by British police and immigration officials. | |
| No details have been released of where he was detained or whether Sri Lanka will begin extradition proceedings. | No details have been released of where he was detained or whether Sri Lanka will begin extradition proceedings. |