Fery Santoro's long road to freedom

Fery Santoro's long road to freedom

June 29, 2003: Fery Santoro and fellow RCTI journalist Ersa
Siregar are captured by GAM rebels on their way to a refugee camp
in Langsa, along with the wives of two Air Force members.

Aug. 23, 2003: The GAM commander overseeing East Aceh, Ishak
Daud, demands a cease-fire as a condition for the release of the
two journalists and other civilians. The Indonesian Military
(TNI) rejects the demand.

Dec. 26, 2003: Ersa is killed in the cross fire during a military
assault in East Aceh, according to the TNI. Fery says there were
only two unarmed GAM members guarding him and Ersa when the
incident occurred.

Jan. 5, 2004: The International Commission for the Red Cross is
asked by the government to facilitate Fery's release, in response
to demands by GAM for the international agency to act as a
mediator.

May 16, 2004: Fery is released after being held for almost a year
after the TNI agrees to a 36-hour cease-fire.