ABRI refuses ransom demands

ABRI refuses ransom demands

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Armed Forces (ABRI) asserted that it will not give in to ransom demands by the Free Papua separatist organization (OPM) who have been holding two high school students hostage since November.

"If what is meant by negotiating is to ask for ransom money for the two students, then we refuse," said military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo said Monday evening on the possibility of talks with the separatists.

As reported by Antara, two students from Swakarsa High school in the Jayapura regency were kidnapped by separatists on Nov. 22. A ransom of 20,000 kinas (Rp 40 million) is being demanded.

Suwarno asserted that ABRI will not tolerate such crimes and will only enter into talks about the possibility of the separatists surrendering, not about negotiating the ransom. (mds)