THE NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam: Gurdev Singh, Shamsher Singh, Amrik Singh and Tarsem Singh (Kalasangha), suspected of smuggling about six hundred and thirty Asians of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indian origin from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom and other European countries, were produced before the magistrate of the court of Amsterdam on July 25, 2001.

The suspects are believed to have used the Guru Nanak Dev Gurdwara, Amsterdam, known in the Netherlands as the 'Sikh Tempel', as a base for their activities and are former members of the Gurudwara's management board.

All four accused were released on bail. Two other former members of the Gurudwara board, Joga Singh and Amarjit Singh, are already out on bail since May 23. The trial is expected to commence in November this year.

Amsterdam police made the arrests on April 17, 2001. House-searches were conducted in the Gurudwara on Gerard Doustraat (Street), in six Amsterdam apartments and in an apartment in Ijsselstein.

Following the arrests, on April 29 the Sikh Sangat of Amsterdam dismissed the entire Board of the Gurudwara's management.

Eight other Sikhs who were arrested in Amsterdam in November 2000 with the same charges were produced in court Monday, July 30. Officer of Justice R.D. Van Heffen read the charges that include charging US$15,000 from the victims and working together with the former Board members of the Sikh Temple of Amsterdam. A verdict is expected on August 7.

The court proceedings are being shown on Dutch Television and are being carried by the major Dutch newspapers.