Terror police continue to search Powys properties

May 1 2008 by Darren Devine, Western Mail

COUNTER-TERRORISM officers were yesterday continuing to search properties in Powys at the centre of an investigation into suspected Tamil Tiger fundraisers.

The searches follow the arrest of two men, aged 39 and 46, at addresses in Newtown and another, aged 33, who was held in Mitcham, south-west London.

Anti-terrorism officers from Scotland Yard were yesterday still questioning the suspects, who can be held for 28 days before they must be released or charged.

Dyfed-Powys Police again sought to reassure locals there was no danger in Newtown as it’s believed the men are suspected of activities designed to finance Tamil terrorism within Sri Lanka.

A force spokesperson said four premises in Newtown were being searched – three houses and one business – after the two arrests.

Newtown neighbourhood policing teams were patrolling the town throughout the day yesterday and a mobile station was at Morrisons supermarket to reassure the community.

Dyfed-Powys superintendent Steve Hughson said: “We would like to stress that this inquiry relates to alleged fundraising and procurement in support of terrorism overseas.”

The Tamil Tigers – or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) – have been involved in a three-decades long conflict with the Sri Lankan government that has claimed the lives of more than 70,000.

The Tigers want a separate Tamil state on the northern and eastern side of the island off the coast of southern India.

Tuesday’s dawn raids were the latest development in a long-running investigation aimed at targeting sympathisers of the banned organisation.