The EU Deputy Head of Mission in Colombo said there is no danger of the LTTE being de-listed, despite a fresh attempt by the LTTE to unfreeze its assets within the European Union by moving its top Court.
“Even if they win this particular case, they will still be listed under a different ruling,” Counsellor at EU Colombo mission Paul Godfrey told Sunday Observer when asked if the LTTE will be taken off the terrorism blacklist as a result of the on going case moved by an Advocate General at the European Court of Justice.
In 2015, a similar attempt was quashed by the EU Council, when the Council appealed against an ECJ ruling in favour of the LTTE. In the case the Court cited procedural errors in proscribing the LTTE. Britain and Netherlands also appealed against the ruling.
The EU had subsequently submitted a different listing, that was compliant with the law but the LTTE is still challenging the EU’s original listing. The case was originally filed in 2011 and taken for hearing in 2014.
“We have already seen the member states imposing a second listing, even after the first listing is challenged, it shows that they are very keen to ensure the ban stays in place,” the Counsellor stressed.
The EU formally listed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation on May 29, 2006, dealing a major blow to the financial strength of the outfit and diminishing their military strength. The case is pursued by the LTTE remnants overseas.