Man arrested in Canada for aiding Tamil tigers

On Saturday RCMP arrested a man they suspect has been raising funds for a Sri Lankan-based terrorist organization known as the Tamil Tigers.

Prapaharan (aka 'Prapa') Thambithurai was remanded in custody on Sunday, March 16 and is scheduled to appear in Vancouver Provincial Court on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, according to a statement issued by the RCMP.

It is alleged that Mr. Thambithurai committed an offence under Section 83.03(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada, "Providing, Making available, etc. Property or Services for Terrorist Purposes."

The E Division Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) investigated Thambithurai and collected evidence that supports the allegation that he targeted residents of the Lower Mainland of Tamil heritage to make cash donations to support the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), which is commonly known as "Tamil Tigers."

The Canadian Department of Public Safety declared the LTTE a terrorist organisation in 2006.

"The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a Sri Lankan-based organization which advocates the creation of an independent homeland in the north and northeastern part of Sri Lanka which it has called 'Tamil Eelam,'" the department's web site states.

"Its war against the government of Sri Lanka has been fought on three fronts: a political campaign, guerrilla warfare, and a terrorist campaign. The LTTE is committed to using a variety of terror tactics in order to achieve its objectives, including attacking political, economic, religious and cultural targets, as well as targeting civilians."

RCMP are requesting that any member of the public who has been approached by Thambithurai or who may have additional information of interest to this case to contact INSET's Anti-Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit at 604.598.4040

Source: canada.com