NEW YORK, April 26 (UPI) -- New York police reportedly have arrested a man alleged to be the U.S. leader of the Tamil Tigers, who are waging a separatist war in Sri Lanka.
CNN reported Thursday Karunakaran Kandasamy was arrested in Queens and charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Details of his arrest were not released.
A federal court complaint accused Kandasamy of being the leader of the Tamil Tigers' American branch, responsible for raising money and channeling logistical assistance and other material support. The United States has designated the Tamil Tigers as a terrorist group, the CNN report said.
The tigers have been fighting for years for a homeland for the Tami-speaking minority on the Indian Ocean island nation, which is predominantly Buddhist.
CNN reported the United States has been cracking down on those believed to be Tiger operatives in the country. The report said 11 such people have previously been indicted allegedly for providing material support for the group.
Deadly violence has resumed in Sri Lanka in recent months despite a cease-fire between the Tigers and the Sri Lankan government reached in 2002.
