Four Dutch Tamils directly linked to LTTE – Prosecutor
Four Dutch men of Sri Lankan origin who were arrested in Amsterdam
last year had direct links with the LTTE, Dutch prosecutors said
yesterday.
The LTTE has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the EU since
2006.
The four Tamils who are currently on trial in the Netherlands, are
accused of extorting money from other Dutch Tamils.
At the trial in The Hague, the prosecutor said the four men were also
charged for organising illegal lotteries (with all proceeds going to the
LTTE) and for being a member of a criminal and terrorist organisation.
The four suspects who appeared in court are said to have registered
all Tamil families living in the Netherlands, including details on who
is paying money to the LTTE and who isn’t.
Those who do pay money are often forced into doing so, according to
the prosecutor. The prosecutor stressed the fact that the Tigers “are a
violent and ruthless” organisation, who fought a war with the Sri Lankan
government with bomb attacks and other forms of serious violence, while
recruiting and deploying child soldiers.
Around 10,000 of the Tamil diaspora currently live in the
Netherlands.
- Radio Netherlands
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