Three arrested in LTTE raid

"It is not linked to al Qaida-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)."
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(April 29, London, Sri Lanbka Guardian) Three men were arrested in dawn raids today after counter-terrorist officers from London and Mid Wales after and operation tracking the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam normally Tamil Tigers terrorist movement.

Officers say two of the group, linked to the Asian terrorist network, were from Newtown, Powys, while the other was from South London.

The LTTE , who are a terrorist group fighting for an independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka, have been linked to organising a string credit card frauds around Wales and the UK.

The notorious gang are also believed to have targeted more than 200 independent petrol stations in the UK last year, where they approached night cashiers who worked alone at petrol stations, paying them large sums of money if they agreed to fit the cloning equipment to card readers and share information from customers.

Scotland Yard said dawn raids took place at houses and businesses in Newtown and Mitcham, south-west London, this morning.

A police spokesman confirmed that two men, aged 39 and 46, were arrested at separate addresses in Newtown, and a third, aged 33, was held in Mitcham, London.

All three men were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

They will be questioned later today at high security Paddington Green police station in central London.

The spokesman added: "At 6.30am today officers from Counter Terrorism Command supported by Dyfed-Powys Police executed search warrants at a number of residential and business addresses in Newtown, Powys.

"Further warrants were executed at addresses in Mitcham and Surrey. Three men were arrested.

"A 46-year-old and 39-year-old were arrested at separate addresses in Powys and a 33-year-old was arrested in Mitcham on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

"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 Qaida-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)."

A Dyfed Powys Police spokeswoman reassured the public today that there was no cause for alarm following the arrests in Powys.

She confirmed that the force was supporting the Metropolitan Police in an operation to arrest two men in Wales under the Terrorism Act and the search of properties in Newtown.

"We would like to reassure our communities that arrests of this nature in the force area are rare and they should not be unduly alarmed," she added.

"The investigation is not linked to al Qaida and we don’t believe there was a risk to the local community.

"We would like to stress that this inquiry relates to alleged fundraising and procurement in support of terrorism overseas.

"We have the neighbourhood, local officers and the mobile police station in the Newtown area in a bid to keep the community informed and reassured.

"A letter drop to properties close to the search areas has also been carried out.

"The searches may go on for some time and we will do everything to minimise disruption to the local communities.

"However, we would appeal for anyone who has specific concerns to contact Dyfed Powys Police on 0845 330 2000.

"Anyone who has information about potential terrorist activity should contact the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321."
- Sri Lanka Guardian