Tamil journalist threatened by paramilitary-linked local politician

<p>A Tamil journalist was threatened by a local politician with links to a former paramilitary MP on Wednesday.</p> <p>The freelance journalist was photographed against his consent near the entrance of the Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court by a member of the Karaichi divisional council, and another individual who accompanied him. The council member is reported to be a member of a political party led by M Chandrakumar, a former parliamentarian who served under the paramilitary Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) until 2016.</p> <p>When the journalist objected to being photographed, the two reportedly verbally threatened him, and also took a photograph of the journalist’s motorcycle, stating that the photographic evidence was needed.</p> <p>The journalist notified police officers who were on duty at the court complex at the time and later filed a complaint at the Kilinochchi police station.</p>