Teacher among five nabbed over alleged involvement in LTTE

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Principal assistant director of the Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) of the Special Branch in Bukit Aman Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay speaking during a press conference today. – Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Five more individuals including a teacher have been detained over alleged involvement in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), including supporting and channelling funds to the group and in possession of materials related to the group’s cause.

The latest arrests have brought the total number of those detained in connection with the LTTE since last Thursday to 12 people.

Principal assistant director of the Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) of the Special Branch in Bukit Aman, Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the five suspects, aged 26 to 52, were arrested in the operations carried out from 10 am yesterday in Selangor, Melaka and Penang.

He said in the first arrest in Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor, a teacher who was attached to a school in Banting was detained for supporting and in possession of materials related to the terrorist group.

“Meanwhile, in operation carried out in Durian Tunggal, Melaka, police have detained two individuals – an executive officer of a corporation and a municipal council member – for organising the LTTE heroes’ celebration last year,” he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman here today.

He said the other two men – a factory worker and a security supervisor – were detained in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

“Both suspects also in possession of materials related to LTTE.

“Investigations revealed that the five detained individuals have been in regular communication with the seven suspects who were detained earlier,” he said.

Ayob Khan said the five men were detained for 28 days, starting today, to facilitate investigation under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

“For the seven suspects that were detained earlier, they will be allowed to see lawyers tomorrow,” he said, refuting the allegations that all suspects had been denied their rights.

On Oct 10, seven individuals including two state assemblymen were arrested under Sosma over alleged involvement with the LTTE which has been listed as a terrorist group in Malaysia since 2014.

The conflict between LTTE and the Sri Lankan government went on for more than three decades after its leader V. Prabhakaran led a separatist movement to establish an independent state for the island’s Tamil minority. – Bernama