Alleged Tiger arms dealer arrested in Singapore

Walter JAYAWARDHANA

Singapore former Reform Party Man who was a powerful committee member of the party Balraj Naidu has been arrested and produced in court for an extradition hearing over an alleged arms deal with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Naidu was arrested on a warrant and produced in courts, said the Singapore Strait Times. The man was arrested at his home last week and brought to court on September 29 for a brief court appearance.

His lawyers and family were present in Court. The businessman is wanted by the United States government on two terrorism related charges. He is also wanted by the US for allegedly brokering arms deals with the LTTE.

No formal charges have been laid against him so far. The Extradition hearing was adjourned until October 5. The Strait Times said the US Government made the request for the extradition during the middle of the year. His lawyer declined to comment to the press.

According to the Sri Lankan intelligence sources, the LTTE made many of their purchases from arms dealers in Singapore.