INTERPOL will not push Sri Lanka to arrest KP

Sri Lanka will need to decide if it will comply with the Red Notice issued by INTERPOL for the arrest of Tharmalingam Shanmugam Kumaran, better known as Kumaran Pathmanathan or KP.

When contacted by The Sunday Leader, the INTERPOL press office said that it will not compel any country to arrest an individual who is the subject of a Red Notice.

Pathmanathan is wanted in India over the murder of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The charges filed against KP include criminal conspiracy, violation of the terrorist Act and Indian explosive Act.

INTERPOL said that if or when police in any of INTERPOL?s 190 member countries share information with the General Secretariat in Lyon in relation to investigations and fugitives, this information remains under the ownership of that member country.

“INTERPOL does not therefore comment on specific cases or individuals except in special circumstances and with approval of the member country concerned,” a spokesperson at INTERPOL said.

However in general, the spokesperson said INTERPOL cannot insist or compel any member country to arrest an individual who is the subject of a Red Notice nor can INTERPOL require any member country to take any action in response to another member country?s request.

“Each INTERPOL member country decides for itself what legal value to give Red Notice within their borders,” the spokesperson added.

KP has been in Sri Lanka since August 2009. He was detained in Malaysia and was brought to Sri Lanka.
The former LTTE chief arms procurer had assisted the former Government to crackdown on the LTTE network.
Subsequently KP settled down in Kilinochchi and opened a children’s home and he was given security by the former Government.