Pair facing Tamil Tigers charges

The pair could face trial in Sri Lanka if found guilty

Two men accused of supporting the banned Sri Lankan rebel group the Tamil Tigers have appeared in court.

Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar and Goldan Lambert are accused of arranging and attending meetings for the rebels.

The pair are due to appear again at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 9 August when their pleas against the charges will be entered.

The Tamil Tigers, banned in Britain and other countries, want a homeland for Tamils in Sri Lanka's north and east.

Arranging meetings

Chrishanthakumar, also known as AC Shanthan, 50, of Norbury, is charged with five counts, including arranging meetings for the organisation in London last year under the Terrorism Act 2000.

He is accused of addressing a meeting in London's Hyde Park on 25 July last year to encourage support of the group and receiving £1,500 for terrorism purposes.

Chrishanthakumar also faces charges of receiving literature connected to terrorism and belonging to the group. He was remanded in custody.

Lambert, 29, of south Croydon faces one charge of managing a meeting to support the Tamil Tigers. He was released on bail.

The Tamil Tigers have been fighting the authorities in Sri Lanka since the 1970s. They say minority Tamils are discriminated against by the majority Sinhalese population.