UK arrests three Tiger suspects

UK: Three men were arrested in London and Wales yesterday as part of a long-term police investigation into the LTTE, Scotland Yard said.

The trio were arrested following dawn raids on homes and business addresses in Newtown in Wales, in Mitcham, southwest London as well as raids elsewhere in Surrey.

Two men aged 39 and 46 were arrested at separate addresses in Newtown. A third, aged 33, was held in Mitcham. All three men were arrested on suspicion of the "commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

"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," a police spokesman said of the arrests.

"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," he added.

They were to be questioned later at the high security Paddington Green police station in central London. Two men, both from south London, appeared in court last June charged with offences in connection with the same operation.

One is accused of arranging meetings of the Tigers and addressing an event in London's Hyde Park. He is also accused of amassing machetes, combat boots, camouflage clothes, spades and handcuffs. He denies the offences. AFP