Tamil migrant accused of Tiger ties says he only worked at Tiger-owned garage

VANCOUVER - A Tamil migrant who arrived on the MV Sun Sea says he worked for a Tamil Tiger-owned garage, but was never a member of the organization or even got paid.


The man is the first to testify at what will be at least 15 inadmissibility hearings for people accused of terrorism, human smuggling or war crimes that arrived on B.C.’s coast last August and made refugee claims.


The man, who cannot be identified under a publication ban, told the Vancouver Immigration and Refugee Board hearing he worked at the garage for about six months in 1996 after he was forced to flee home because the army was advancing.


He says he believed the group was “trying to help” the Tamil population, but he never joined when asked and didn’t want to “encourage” their activities.


Federal government lawyers are fighting the release of several would-be refugees over allegations they are members of the banned Sri Lankan terrorist group.


Of 492 people who arrived on the freighter, 107 people remain in detention including six women, The Canadian Press reported.