More time to quiz terror suspects

Detectives have been granted a further eight days to question two Mid Wales men suspected of raising funds for terror group the Tamil Tigers.

The pair were arrested in Newtown last Tuesday by officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter terrorism command, after raids on homes in Old Kerry Road, Crescent Gardens and Beechwood Drive.

A third man was also arrested after simultaneous raids in Mitcham, south-west London, and Surrey.

Magistrates yesterday granted police permission to hold the men, aged 33, 39 and 46, for further questioning until May 13.

All three were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The move is the latest development in a long-running investigation aimed at flushing out Tamil Tiger sympathisers.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said today: "We were granted permission yesterday by the City of Westminster Magistrates Court to hold all three men until next Tuesday.

"Properties in Newtown are still being searched."

Police confirmed the pair were arrested in connection with alleged links to the Sri Lankan separatist group.

The Tamil Tigers are responsible for three decades of guerrilla fighting in Sri Lanka. The group is fighting for autonomy for minority Tamils in the north and east of the country.