Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Two Tamils and French journalists arrested in Galle

At least two Tamil persons and another two French journalists have been arrested in south for filming a detention camp without permission, sources in police said Tuesday.

The police at Ratgama, said that the two French men belonging to "France 24 TV" were arrested Monday evening for filming the area surrounding the Boossa detention camp. Another two Tamil persons comes from Jaffna were involved with them.

Police spokesman Jayantha Wickramarathne confirmed the arrest of two French men, but said the authorities are not sure whether they are journalists or not.

"They were arrested by the Army because they didn't get permission to film the area," said Wickramarathne, adding that they are still under custody.

The Boossa camp, just 4 km away from the Ratgama police station, drew attention late November when a large number of Tamil minority were rounded up in Colombo and its suburbs on suspicion of links with members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The arrested were sent to the Boossa camp. Similarly in June this year Tamils rounded up in Colombo on suspicion were also sent to Boossa.

The authorities say the roundups are important to ensure national security as Tamil Tiger members infiltrate the capital to carry out attacks.

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