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Malaysia arrests three Tamil Tiger suspects Malaysia arrests three Tamil Tiger suspects
(about 2 hours later)
Malaysian police say they have arrested three Sri Lankans accused of trying to revive the Tamil Tiger rebel group.Malaysian police say they have arrested three Sri Lankans accused of trying to revive the Tamil Tiger rebel group.
They are accused of raising funds and spreading propaganda for the group.They are accused of raising funds and spreading propaganda for the group.
A police spokesman was quoted as saying the suspects were senior operatives and had registered with the UN as refugees to "avoid suspicion".A police spokesman was quoted as saying the suspects were senior operatives and had registered with the UN as refugees to "avoid suspicion".
The Tamil Tiger rebel group is believed to have become defunct when leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed by Sri Lankan forces in 2009. The now defunct Tamil Tigers were crushed when their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed by Sri Lankan forces in 2009 after years of war.
Authorities told the BBC's Sinhala Service that the three suspects had lived in Malaysia without valid visas for years.Authorities told the BBC's Sinhala Service that the three suspects had lived in Malaysia without valid visas for years.
"We found out that they have been trying to revive [the group] using their contacts in Europe and other countries," said one official, who did not wish to be identified."We found out that they have been trying to revive [the group] using their contacts in Europe and other countries," said one official, who did not wish to be identified.
Malaysia was now planning to deport them and was searching for more suspects, reported local media. There are currently 4,300 Sri Lankan citizens in Malaysia.Malaysia was now planning to deport them and was searching for more suspects, reported local media. There are currently 4,300 Sri Lankan citizens in Malaysia.
The arrest follows the killing in April of three men by the military in northern Sri Lanka.The arrest follows the killing in April of three men by the military in northern Sri Lanka.
The military said the men were trying to revive their organisation, which is officially known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).The military said the men were trying to revive their organisation, which is officially known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Although campaigners doubt there is an LTTE revival under way, the government maintains it is a real threat, correspondents say.Although campaigners doubt there is an LTTE revival under way, the government maintains it is a real threat, correspondents say.
The group launched a violent uprising against the Sri Lankan government in 1983, seeking autonomy for Sri Lanka's Tamil-dominated north and east.The group launched a violent uprising against the Sri Lankan government in 1983, seeking autonomy for Sri Lanka's Tamil-dominated north and east.
At their height of their power, the Tigers controlled nearly a third of of Sri Lanka's territory.At their height of their power, the Tigers controlled nearly a third of of Sri Lanka's territory.
But they are widely considered to have been defeated in May 2009 after Sri Lankan forces gained control of the last rebel-held area in the north-east, during which Prabhakaran was killed. But they were defeated in May 2009 after Sri Lankan forces gained control of the last rebel-held area in the north-east, during which Prabhakaran was killed.
The United Nations estimates that between 80,000 and 100,000 people were killed in the civil war, and tens of thousands more were displaced.The United Nations estimates that between 80,000 and 100,000 people were killed in the civil war, and tens of thousands more were displaced.
It says it believes tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the final months of the war, and that most of the deaths were caused by government shelling.It says it believes tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the final months of the war, and that most of the deaths were caused by government shelling.
The government has strenuously denied such allegations and insists they are on the path of reconciliation.The government has strenuously denied such allegations and insists they are on the path of reconciliation.