US to sentence LTTE dealers

11 January 2010 12:22 pm

Two Tamil-Canadians, who were caught by the FBI trying to buy anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons for the Tamil Tigers three years ago, will be sentenced in a New York courtroom, Monday, on terrorism charges.

Toronto residents Suhil Sabaratnam and Thiruthanikan ( Thani) Thanigasalam have pleaded guilty to conspiracy and material support for terrorism. They're facing possible sentences of 25 years to life. Two others have also pleaded guilty in connection with the undercover FBI sting operation.

On Aug. 19, 2006, Sabaratnam and Thanigasalam drove from Toronto to Long Island, N.Y., to meet "Vinny" — a man they believed was a Mafia arms dealer but was actually an undercover FBI agent.

The agent showed Sabaratnam and Thanigasalam a crate containing a Stinger missile and its firing tube. After making a cell phone call to the Tamil Tigers bosses in Sri Lanka, Thanagasalam ordered 10 SA-18 heat seeking anti aircraft missiles and launchers, 500 AK-47 assault rifles and other military equipment of the group, the FBI said. The weapons were to be used by the LTTE to shoot down Kfir aircraft used by the Sri Lankan military, the FBI said.

Source : cbcnews