|
Australian Federal Police (AFP) have
arrested, at the request of the FBI, a
director of a Melbourne business college
believed to be linked to the LTTE over
alleged terrorism offences in the US.
Thulasitharan Santhirarajah, 34, is
expected to face extradition proceedings
after his arrest on Monday when AFP agents
raided homes and businesses around
Melbourne, including the office of his
Melbourne International College, The
Australian reported.
The raids were conducted at the request
of the FBI, which has been cracking down on
the fundraising activities in the US of
members of the LTTE.
A spokesman for federal Attorney-General
Robert McClelland confirmed the US had
requested that Santhirarajah be detained.
"The man is wanted to face prosecution
for alleged terrorism offences in the United
States of America," the spokesman said. "As
this is an ongoing law enforcement matter,
it would be inappropriate to comment on the
specifics of the case."
Santhirarajah appeared briefly in
Melbourne Magistrates court on Monday and
was remanded in custody until next month.
As well as the city office of the
college, AFP agents raided five properties
and businesses in Narre Warren, Dandenong
and Lysterfield.
Two Melbourne men, allegedly linked to
the LTTE, are awaiting trial over unrelated
alleged terrorism-related offences. They
were charged in 2006 with being members of a
terrorist organisation, making funds
available to a terrorist organisation and
making an asset available to a proscribed
entity.
|