Aussie cops warned on Tamil arrest

5 February 2010 03:00 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australian Federal Police officers were warned by a judge saying they could face criminal charges over their arrest of a Sri Lankan Tamil man at gunpoint on terrorism charges, the Age newspaper reported.

Sydney accountant Arumugam Rajeevan, 43, was on his way to lobby a NSW senator in July 2007 when police removed him from his car at gunpoint, demanding he lie face down outside the senator's office with his hands cuffed behind his back.

The Age can reveal that during pretrial argument last year about the admissibility of Rajeevan's interview in the Victorian Supreme Court, Justice Paul Coghlan warned that police could face criminal charges if they answered questions about the circumstances of Rajeevan's arrest.

Police can face assault charges if they use more than reasonable force in an arrest.

During a hearing for Rajeevan and two Melbourne men yesterday, Justice Coghlan said many people who gave money after the 2004 tsunami could technically be caught by the same terror laws under which the three Tamil men are being prosecuted.

He said last year: ''A question of criminal liability arises in circumstances that the arrest and continued detention was potentially unlawful.''

As a result, Commonwealth prosecutors discontinued their bid to have Rajeevan's interview admitted in evidence.

Yesterday, Phillip Boulton, SC, for Rajeevan, said use of a firearm during the arrest of his client was ''illegal and improper'' and should be considered by the court in determining its sentence for Rajeevan, who has pleaded guilty along with two Melbourne men to providing money to a terrorist organisation, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

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Comments - 16

Friday, 05 February 2010 05:38 AM

Enjoy Aussie... We will sent more..

Friday, 05 February 2010 06:13 AM

This is why our cops use the method of "encounter killngs" : mission accomplished, case closed.

Friday, 05 February 2010 06:14 AM

Timeline
Yesterday - Tamils in Australia lobbying Aussie politicians to influence for a seperate state
Today - Aussie cops warned of Tamil arrest,
10 years later- Tamils in Australia demand for a seperate state in Australia
15 years later - Tamils rebels in Australia kills innocent civilians
20 years later - Most wanted in the world - Tamil LTTE terrorist leader in Australia

Friday, 05 February 2010 06:27 AM

If we have such laws and judges in Sri Lanka.... hmmm.

Friday, 05 February 2010 06:40 AM

what a civilized country . our cops should learn something from them .

Friday, 05 February 2010 06:57 AM

SRI LANKA LEARN FROM AUSTRALIA.

Friday, 05 February 2010 07:51 AM

Aussie Cops...Handle with care these delicate LTTE Terrorists !.

Friday, 05 February 2010 08:07 AM

Poor Aussie cops!

Friday, 05 February 2010 09:00 AM

Seems to be an ideal country to have a Tamil Eelam.!!

Friday, 05 February 2010 09:10 AM

LTTE Terrorism is a long term threat to australia. Aussies must handle these illegal immigrants with care otherwise they will ask for homelands and blow up innocent civilians.

Friday, 05 February 2010 09:23 AM

rasic sarath.....this is why sri lanka is like a junk yard

Friday, 05 February 2010 03:13 PM

Hello friends remember 1, tamils nt asking 4 sme unknwn places they r only asking their motherlands atleast some respect.

Friday, 05 February 2010 03:32 PM

ALL THE TAMILS ARE NOT TERRORIST SUSPECTS.

Friday, 05 February 2010 04:58 PM

Well done Oz. you must get the terrorists

Friday, 05 February 2010 08:38 PM

Good old Aussie - a land that recognizes the 'presumption of innocence' in respect of of ANYONE, prior to his being proven guilty!

Friday, 05 February 2010 09:22 PM

Such moves do not encourage terrorism, but do affirm the existence of law and order, within Australia !

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Aussie cops warned on Tamil arrest

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