Aceh rebel gets life term

Aceh rebel gets life term

Judges in Aceh province sentenced a leading figure in the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Wednesday to life in jail for plotting against the state. Tengku Muhammad Arief, 73, was "legally and convincingly guilty of plotting against the state", Eddryan Satria, who headed the panel of judges, told the Pidie District Court. Arief, who was also found guilty of several other offenses, including the illegal possession of firearms, the killing of civilians including teachers, extortions and the burning of schools, said he was considering an appeal. Appointed governor of Pidie by GAM's exiled leader Hasan Tiro in 2002, Arief and rebel military commander Sarjani Abdullah went into hiding when the government slapped martial law on Aceh in May 2003. He was captured in October 2004 after four days of clashes with soldiers. --AFP