HAMBURG, West Germany: Hamburg police have 1eJeased two Sri Lankans who admit ted organizing a clandestine voyage of 155 Tamil refugees from West Germany to Canada, the public prosecutor’ office said today.

‘A spokesman said the two were set free at the weekend because they would not escape and collusion could also be ruled out. They were, however, not allowed to leave Hamburg.

The spokesman said the two. Could be charged in connection with smuggling the Sri Lankans out of the country. He said they could face other charges but he ‘would not elaborate.

The two Sri Lankans had confessed to organizing the operation and charging the Tamils 5,000 marks (2,500 dollars) apiece to take them to Canada.

Police identified the 425ton coaster aurorae as the ship that ferried the 155 refugees from the North German Port of Brake to Canada.

A police spokesman said they, would like to question the captain. ‘and owner of the vessel, Wolfgang Bindel.

Bindel, 45, has denied involvement in the affair na ship to shore interview with a local radio station. He told the interviewer on Saturday that he was off Casablanca and would return to Bremerhaven whiting the next nine to 10 days.

The two released Sri Lankans said in an interview with the Muni chased magazine Quick that they were approached by Bindel to get in touch with fellow countrymen who wanted to leave West Germany.

‘At the beginning of May, Bindel suggested smuggling 250 of my countrymen to Canada. He asked me whether I could get in touch ‘with that many people and demanded 850,000 marks (413,000 dollars) in cash, one of the men told quickly.

The magazine named the two Sri Lankans as Mohammed Lebhha, 37, and Vayarantu Ratnam, 37.

The men said that within several days they were contacted by more than 500 Tamils for a passage to Canada.

Police said on Friday that Bindel was believed to have pocketed at least 700,000 marks (340,000 dollars) for the trip.

‘A police spokesman told Reuters the two men were under police protection against revenge from Tamils who had paid but missed the boat.

The men told Quick that 60 Tamils paid for the voyage but were left behind.

Police told reporters that at least 38 Tamils were left behind.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 22, 1986