Tamil Tigers acquitted in Switzerland

3 December 2019 08:29 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Swiss Federal Court has ruled that the Tamil Tigers are not a criminal organisation and has acquitted 12 people of charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

In its indictment, the OAG had accused the people of violating the Swiss Penal Code by raising funds for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) between 1999 and 2009. After its nine-year investigation, the OAG suspected the accused of financially supporting the World Tamil Coordinating Committee (WTCC).

But in June 2018 the Federal Criminal Court found that the hierarchical link between the LTTE and WTCC could not be sufficiently established. The judges also felt there was not enough proof to consider the LTTE a criminal group.

In April the OAG appealed against the verdict, insisting that the accused had supported a criminal group.

In a decision published on Tuesday, the Federal Court upheld the previous ruling, noting that Article 260 in the Swiss Penal Code was designed to combat organised crime of a mafia nature. Since then it has also been applied to terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia. The LTTE was not regarded as a criminal organisation at the time of the fundraising, stated the Federal Court.

According to the court, those who procured money for the LTTE in Switzerland at that time could not assume that they would later violate the law. Even if it had carried out terrorist attacks, the LTTE’s primary objective was to be recognised as an independent ethnic community.

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Comments - 17

Patriot Tuesday, 03 December 2019 08:53 PM

Switzerland is a happy hunting ground for tigers...they’ll keep on trying to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka...

Birschel Ramseier Tuesday, 03 December 2019 08:58 PM

LTTE fought for the rights of oppressed Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. It was never a terrorist organization, though it was labelled as such for political reasons.

charith seneviratne Tuesday, 03 December 2019 09:04 PM

Well it is time that we got together and not tolerate any nonsense from these western nations. They have agendas.

Anonymous kr Tuesday, 03 December 2019 09:09 PM

I'm pretty sure this is because the swiss government is not happy about releasing the murder suspect of the royal park Case. Which I also think is wrong in away when considering the effect of legal deterrence. Even though the age is a major factor to be lenient on the decision of the royal park murder case, the Sri Lankan government might have to re-establish its credibility with the swiss government and the swiss family of the victim, by compensating in someway and making them aware about the grounds in which the accused is released.

Shani Tuesday, 03 December 2019 09:10 PM

Why is ISIS considered a Terrorist organization and LTTE not? Because terrorists don't bite their own butts.

Akila Tuesday, 03 December 2019 09:11 PM

LOL! Technically, African American people are also an independent ethnic community. The difference is that they are not terrorists. What 1st world bubble do the Swiss live in?

Andare Tuesday, 03 December 2019 09:22 PM

mallen pusa eliyata panapi

patriot Tuesday, 03 December 2019 09:42 PM

Another Swiss's news. More to expect.., Hmm coming colour not good just because Gota had won.

Dictionary Tuesday, 03 December 2019 09:51 PM

Check the meaning of a terrorist and that of a freedom fighter. Obviously one man's food is another man's poison.

ChanakaJ Tuesday, 03 December 2019 10:01 PM

Just as ISIS wanted an Islamic state; LTTE wanted an ELAM state ( in spite of having Tamil Nadu in India)! Both groups are terrorists! Shame on Switzerland; biased, rather than neutral!

Jeeves Tuesday, 03 December 2019 10:04 PM

Those whose families were affected by LTTE terrorists should protest to the Swiss Embassy for condoning with terrorists!

Rex Tuesday, 03 December 2019 10:09 PM

What rubbish! It's not the objective that makes a terrorist. It is the act itself!

SarangaD Tuesday, 03 December 2019 10:12 PM

TID, please take note of their names and refuse entry to Sri Lanka. Switzerland can keep them!

fool Tuesday, 03 December 2019 10:12 PM

Switzerland is trying play a totally different game this time.. Completely controlled by LTTE politics. The best way to get their hands in to the pie of SL. Wait until these grow in your backyard and start fighting for a piece of land in your own country..

Max Tuesday, 03 December 2019 10:13 PM

Cat out of the Bag

Harsha Tuesday, 03 December 2019 10:26 PM

We don't need to be bombed and killed to know that LTTE are a different ethnicity! What an excuse for terrorism!

Sokrates Wednesday, 04 December 2019 09:19 AM

Even in Sri Lanka, the LTTE was not designated as a terrorist organization until very late. Much later than in many other countries.

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Tamil Tigers acquitted in Switzerland

Comments - 17

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