Arrested in London on 2 November 2007; investigations underway concerning his participation in war crimes; released and deported to Sri Lanka on 3 July 2008
position :
Former special Commander of the Tamil Tigers in the eastern districts of Batticaloa-Amparai. Commander of the Karuna faction
Karuna Amman was arrested in London on 2 November 2007 following a joint operation by the Metropolitan Police and the Border and Immigration Agency.
He was arrested for possession of a false diplomatic passport and firearms. The passport had a photograph of Karuna Amman but was under the name of Kokila Dushmantha Gunawardena. His visa request was supported by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a note declaring the said Kokila Dushmantha Gunawardena to be the Director General of the Wildlife Department.
The British authorities announced that they had sufficient evidence as to the complicity of the Sri Lankan government in providing Karuna Amman with a false passport.
Following his arrest, Karuna Amman was placed in detention under the responsibility of the immigration authorities. The exact place of detention was not disclosed.
Karuna Amman was charged with illegal entry into Britain. Karuna gave evidence concerning the conditions under which the passport was issued to him and pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
On 25 January 2008, Judge Hezlett Colgan of Isleworth Court in the west of London sentenced Karuna Amman to nine months in prison for breaking the 2006 law on identity cards. No extradition request concerning Karuna Amman was entered by the Sri Lankan government.
The Crown Prosecutor’s office indicated that they were considering proceedings against Karuna Amman for war crimes and human rights violations on the basis of the evidence presented by the Metropolitan police and outlined in expert’s reports transmitted by non-governmental organisations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Coalition to stop the use of Child Soldiers. The spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution indicated that the Metropolitan Police and anti-terrorist units would be considered to lead investigations.
Under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction British legislation authorizes the Britain to take legal action against individuals who are accused of certain serious violations of international law, notably torture and war crimes.
Karuna Amman was released after four months on 8 May 2008. Pending his deportation to Sri Lanka, he was put in a detention centre for immigrants in London.
Amman was released and deported as a free man to Sri Lanka on 3 July 2008.
