Germany indicts Sri Lanka Tamil spokesman on terrorism charges
By DPA, IANSMonday, February 7, 2011
KARLSRUHE - A spokesman in Germany for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been indicted on terrorism charges, federal justice authorities said Monday in Karlsruhe.
Agilan W., who now holds German citizenship, was arrested in November and indicted Jan 24.
Prosecutors said he was spokesman in Germany for the Tamil Coordination Commitee, a front for the LTTE, from 2004 to the end of 2009 and oversaw its public relations. Three other leaders of an alleged LTTE front were earlier arrested and indicted.
No date was given for the 35-year-old’s trial on a charge of membership in a foreign terrorist organisation and breaching German export laws.
That charge relates to his allegedly purchasing equipment worth 370,000 euros ($500,000) from group funds to outfit LTTE fighters and sent this gear to Sri Lanka.
The LTTE fought from its formation in 1976 till its early 2009 defeat for a secession by north and east Sri Lanka.
The European Union declared the LTTE a terrorist group in June 2007. Germany indicted three other activists in the TCC, Vijikanendra V.S., Sasitharan M. and Koneswaran T. in August.
Under German reporting restrictions, first names only are given.
