May 10, 2007

Sri Lankan man pleads guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and attempted export of arms
Tried to purchase missiles, night vision devices, machine guns and firearms for Tamil Tigers

BALTIMORE, Md. - Thirunavukarasu Varatharasa, 36, a citizen of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and attempted exportation of arms and munitions, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announced.

"Today's case reflects ICE's commitment to keeping U.S. weapons and technology out of the hands of terrorists," said Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Every day our arms and strategic technology investigations are targeting profiteers who jeopardize national and international security by selling critical weapons and technologies to terrorist groups. Those engaged in these illicit activities are responsible for the instability and violence that can come from the sale of these items."

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, "Mr. Varatharasa is the last defendant to be convicted in this plot to attempt to obtain military weapons in violation of American law. We are committed to using all available legal tools to prevent terrorism." "Combating terrorism, as well as protecting our critical technology, is a priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. In working with our partners in law enforcement, DCIS is committed to ensuring our weapons and DOD technology is secure," said Geoff Cherrington, the Special Agent in Charge for the (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office.

According to the plea agreement, from April to Sept. 29, 2006, Varatharasa conspired with Haji Subandi, Haniffa Osman and Erick Wotulo to export state-of-the-art firearms, machine guns and ammunition, surface-to-air missiles, night vision goggles and other military weapons to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers) operating within Sri Lanka, to be used to fight against Sri Lankan government forces, according to the plea agreement. The conspirators contacted an undercover business located in Maryland about the sale of military weapons. The defendants aided in the acquisition and proposed delivery of military technology to the Tamil Tigers by requesting price quotes and negotiating the purchases. Subandi sent an itemized list of 53 military weapons, including sniper rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers that he wanted to acquire for the Tamil Tigers.

On Sept. 25, 2006, Varatharasa and Osman arrived in Saipan to meet with ICE undercover agents and inspect the weaponry that had been ordered on behalf of the Tamil Tigers. They were transported to Guam where, the next day, Varatharasa and Osman inspected various machine guns, sniper rifles and ammunition. They also inspected two surface-to-air missiles and agreed to communicate to others within the Tamil Tigers regarding the availability and cost of the missiles. After the inspection was completed, Varatharasa and Osman agreed to arrange for the transfer of money into an undercover bank account in Maryland as payment for the arms and munitions. Varatharasa also purchased food and provisions for his trip from Guam to deliver the weaponry to the Tamil Tigers at a location in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka.

On Sept. 29, 2006, Wotulo arrived in Guam. Varatharasa, Wotulo and Osman met with undercover officers in Guam and discussed current and future sales of weapons to the Tamil Tigers, and were arrested.

Varatharasa faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and 10 years in prison for attempted exportation of arms and munitions. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has not yet set a sentencing date.

Haji Subandi, 69, a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia, pleaded guilty on March 8, 2007, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization; 20 years in prison on each of two counts of money laundering; and 10 years in prison for attempted exportation of arms and munitions. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled Subandi's sentencing for June 15, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. Erick Wotulo, 59, a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia and a retired Indonesian Marine Corps General, and Haniffa Bin Osman, 55, a citizen of the Republic of Singapore, both pleaded guilty and face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support and 20 years in prison for money laundering. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled Wotulo's sentencing for May 25, 2007, at 10 a.m. and Osman's sentencing for June 25, 2007, at 9:15 a.m.

Co-defendants Reinhard Rusli, 34, and Helmi Soedirdja, 33, both citizens of Indonesia, pleaded guilty and were sentenced on April 24, 2007, to a year and a day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for money laundering and attempted exportation of arms.

Founded in 1976, the Tamil Tigers has advocated the violent overthrow of the Sri Lankan government, employing acts of violence, including suicide bombings, against both civilian and military targets. Approximately 200 such attacks have been attributed to the Tamil Tigers to date. The Tamil Tigers relies heavily upon supporters throughout the world to raise and launder money, acquire intelligence and purchase military use technology. The U.S. Department of State designated the Tamil Tigers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997. As such, the Tamil Tigers cannot legally raise money or procure operational equipment in the United States.

United States Attorney Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by ICE, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI and the Baltimore City Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Maryland James G. Warwick, and Harry M. Gruber, who are prosecuting the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Harvey Eisenberg, Chief of National Security, who is supervising the case.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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