Maluku separatist commander arrested<\/p>\n
Muhammad Aziz Tunny
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nAmbon, Maluku<\/p>\n
Police say they have arrested the alleged commander of the
\nSouth Maluku Republic (RMS) separatist movement, and eight other
\nRMS members in a raid on his house while they were planning the
\ncelebration of the movement's 54th anniversary on April 24.<\/p>\n
The raid took place on Saturday night at the house of the
\nalleged RMS military commander, Jhon Rea.<\/p>\n
\"We arrested the RMS commander and eight RMS members while
\nthey were holding a clandestine meeting,\" said Ambon and Lesae
\nIslands Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Teguh Budi Prasojo on Sunday.
\n\"We will track down anyone who is involved in this illegal
\norganization.\"<\/p>\n
The arrest of a senior RMS member comes amid heightened
\ntension in Maluku, as the group said they would push ahead with
\nthe celebration of its anniversary despite a government ban.<\/p>\n
Teguh said police found documents dated May 2002, which showed
\nRMS appointing Jhon to lead the movement's military wing.<\/p>\n
Police also learned of two other high ranking RMS members
\nafter interrogating Jhon, he added. They were RMS secretary,
\nEdward Latuhihin and its first deputy chairman Jon Abraham.<\/p>\n
\"We've got Edward but Jon Abraham is still at large,\" said
\nTeguh adding that Edward worked at the Ambon municipality.<\/p>\n
The eight others arrested during Saturday's raid were Piter
\nRea, Johanis Tuhuteru, Jefri Soulisa, Yoseph Lesnussa, Elisa
\nRoberto Mathenahoruw, Reinhard Nanlohy, Philipus Nurlatu and
\nSandi Lalopua.<\/p>\n
Police in Maluku have warned locals against participating in
\nthe celebration of the separatist group's anniversary this
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Last year, police arrested dozens of members and supporters of
\nthe Maluku Sovereignty Forum (FKM) during an RMS flag-raising
\nceremony to mark the group's 53th anniversary.<\/p>\n
The South Jakarta District Court sentenced FKM chairman Alex
\nManuputty to three years in jail for subversion. Manuputty has
\nfiled an appeal with the Jakarta High Court.<\/p>\n
Teguh said the nine RMS members claimed to have no connection
\nwith Manuputty's FKM.<\/p>\n
\"But the relation between RMS, its members and FKM in Maluku
\nis under investigation,\" Teguh said.<\/p>\n
He added that a number of documents related to RMS' operations
\nin Maluku and in the Netherlands were also discovered during the
\nraid.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in Ambon, a man was shot in the arm for resisting a
\nbody search by military personnel when they became suspicious
\nabout his movements.<\/p>\n
\"When we searched him he resisted so we simply shot him,\" said
\nFirst Sgt Paulus Modo from the Udhayana military command which
\noversees Maluku.<\/p>\n
The victim, whose name was not released, was rushed to the
\nAmbon General Hospital. According to Paulus, he suffered no
\nserious injuries.<\/p>\n
RMS regained popularity some three years ago during the height
\nof fighting between Christians and Muslims in the province.<\/p>\n
Since the sectarian conflict erupted in January 1999, more
\nthan 6,000 people have died and some 750,000 others have fled the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
The level of violence has reduced significantly since both
\nsides signed the Malino peace agreement last year.<\/p>\n
Sporadic killing and bomb attacks however continue. Many fear
\nthe incidents are attempts to mar the peace deal and renew the
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
The government has imposed a state of civil emergency on the
\nprovince but provincial councillors say they hoped it will soon
\nbe revoked.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/maluku-separatist-commander-arrested-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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