Prosecutors want 14 years for GAM speechwriter<\/p>\n
Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam<\/p>\n
Prosecutors demanded on Saturday a 14-year jail term for a man
\nwho wrote speeches and campaigned on behalf of the Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) in its fight for independence.<\/p>\n
Irwandi Yusuf alias Isnandar Al Passee, dubbed GAM's campaign
\nmanager, was charged with voluntarily supporting the separatist
\ngroup through his campaign and publications.<\/p>\n
The prosecutors said Irwandi was responsible for media
\nreleases and other publication materials related to the
\nactivities of the rebels. The defendant is also known to be the
\nspeechwriter for several GAM leaders during a series of peace
\ntalks sponsored by a Swiss-based organization and which included
\nthe Indonesian government.<\/p>\n
"The defendant violated Article 106 of the Criminal Code on
\ntreason," the prosecutors told the Banda Aceh District Court.<\/p>\n
Irwandi, a veterinarian and noted elephant trainer, was
\narrested in Jakarta following the imposition of martial law in
\nthe province on May 19.<\/p>\n
He is known to have worked closely with GAM leaders, such as
\nthe movement's armed wing commander, Muzakir Manaf, and other top
\nfigures such as Sofyan Dawood and Ishak Daud.<\/p>\n
The defendant also served as the interpreter for the rebel
\ngroup at international functions.<\/p>\n
During the trial, Irwandi, who is also a lecturer at a state-
\nowned university in Aceh, was accompanied by his lawyer M.
\nSyafi'e Saragih.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors also presented various documents and drafts of
\nspeeches belonging to the separatist movement and a notebook
\ncomputer as evidence.<\/p>\n
The trial will resume on Thursday to hear the defense argument
\nfrom Irwandi's lawyer.<\/p>\n
Since the imposition of the martial law, the police and
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) have arrested over 1,000 GAM members
\nand supporters as part of the operation to enforce the law. The
\npolice have handed over 350 cases involving suspected GAM members
\nand supporters to prosecutors, some of whom are now on trial.<\/p>\n
In a related development, police shot dead a GAM leader from
\nPidie regency, Jailani bin Yusuf, on Friday after they said he
\nhad resisted arrest.<\/p>\n
"When the police were trying to arrest him, he opened fire at
\nthe officers," spokesman for Aceh Police Sr. Comr. Sayed Hoesainy
\ntold a press conference on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Police confiscated an FN pistol and dozens of ammunition from
\nJailani.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prosecutors-want-14-years-for-gam-speechwriter-1447893297",
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