Toronto man charged in B.C. for allegedly raising funds for Tamil Tigers
Last Updated: Monday, March 17, 2008 | 6:59 PM PT
CBC News
A Toronto-area man has been arrested in British Columbia for allegedly raising money for the Tamil Tigers, which the federal government considers a terrorist organization.
A Tamil rebel fighting instructor hoists the Tamil Eelam flag before conducting military training for civilians two years ago in Udayanagar, Sri Lanka.
(Gemunu Amarasinghe/Associated Press)
The RCMP's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested 45-year-old Prapaharan Thambithurai in New Westminster last Friday.
Police said he'd been targeting people of Tamil heritage in Metro Vancouver asking for cash donations to support the Tamil Tigers in seeking independence in Sri Lanka.
The Tigers, which are formally known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam, are on a federal list of terrorist organizations and raising money or providing services for them is banned under Canadian law.
Thambithurai, who is a Canadian citizen, has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance in Vancouver Provincial Court, Tuesday.
It is alleged that Thambithurai committed an offence under Section 83.03(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada, the section that makes it an offence to provide, or make available property or services for terrorist purposes.
Corrections and Clarifications
- The name of the flag identified in the photo is Tamil Eelam, not Tiger Tamil, as reported earlier. March 18, 2008|10:37 PT
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