Separatists free abducted Belgians<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, IriaN Jaya (JP): Two Belgians held hostage by
\nseparatist rebels in the Irian Jaya hinterland have been freed
\nafter nearly two months in captivity.<\/p>\n
Negotiators claim that no ransom was involved in the release
\nof Johan Van den Eynde, 47, and Philippe Simon, 49, with the
\nseparatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) only asking that the release
\nbe published through the international media.<\/p>\n
Upon their arrival here at Sentani Airport on Thursday, the
\ntwo documentary film makers said they were healthy and had been
\ntreated well.<\/p>\n
\"I was not hurt at all while being held hostage,\" Johan told
\njournalists.<\/p>\n
He added that the two ate regular meals with sweet potatoes
\nbeing the staple food.<\/p>\n
Johan said the most difficult challenge during their abduction
\nwas fighting boredom and being away from family and friends for
\nso long.<\/p>\n
The two were taken hostage in early June while trekking in
\nJayawijaya regency. During the third day of their journey, they
\nwere confronted at Paluga village by about 15 men armed with bows
\nand arrows, and machetes.<\/p>\n
\"I tried to tell them that we were merely adventurers and not
\nspies,\" Johan said of the ordeal.<\/p>\n
The negotiating team of Theo van Den Broek and Benny Giay also
\nsaid that publicity of the separatists' aims was the only
\ncondition placed on the two Belgians' release.<\/p>\n
Benny said that Titus Murib, the leader of the group which
\nkidnapped the two men, had also apologized for their actions,
\nsaying that it was the only option available to them for raising
\nawareness of their cause.<\/p>\n
At the airport, the negotiators officially handed over the two
\nBelgians to local authorities, represented by Irian Jaya Police
\nchief Insp. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika, who then transferred the
\nmen to Belgian diplomats.<\/p>\n
Johan and Philippe are due to fly to Jakarta on Saturday
\nbefore catching a flight back home to Belgium.<\/p>\n
Separatist rebels have frequently targeted foreigners for
\nabduction.<\/p>\n
One of the most dramatic events was when rebels abducted
\nseveral Indonesian and foreign researchers in 1996. The incident
\nculminated in a dramatic military operation to release the group,
\nwhich resulted in the deaths of two hostages.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, two South Koreans working for a timber
\ncompany in the province were also taken hostage for several days
\nbefore being released. (35)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/separatists-free-abducted-belgians-1447893297",
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