GAM accuses military personnel of executing its Sabang leader

Ibnu Mat Noor, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

The commander of the military wing of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Sabang was arrested and then executed by Indonesian security authorities in Aceh on Monday, GAM claimed Tuesday.

The killing, just a day before GAM's 26th anniversary of its fight for independence, may have ruined chances of an end to the conflict, with a truce scheduled to be signed by both parties in Switzerland on December 9.

GAM military field commander Amri Adbul Wahab condemned the killing of Amirullah (alias Tengku Puteh), 35, by police in Lampuja village, Kuta Baro district, 10 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, the capital of Naggroe Aceh Darussalam.

Amri said GAM would take vengeance against local police for the execution of Amirullah and Ibnu, 30.

Police have rejected the claim, saying elite Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers shot the pair as they attempted to escape.

Amri said Amirullah and Ibnu were arrested on Sunday and executed on Monday in Lampuja at 10 p.m.

Villagers who heard the gunshots called the Indonesian Red Cross who later evacuated the bodies.

"If that is the way the police uphold the law, it will affect the peace agreement scheduled for Dec. 9 in Geneva," Amri warned.

Despite a government ban and the local military's posturing, GAM says it will go ahead with plans to celebrate its anniversary and the declaration of Aceh's independence in remote areas in the province on Wednesday.

Acehnese figures called on the government to close its eyes to the celebrations to save the planned peace talks, but added Acehnese people should not be involved in the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Police spokesman in Banda Aceh, Maj. Taufiq Sugiono, said a Brimob officer from Regiment III in Jakarta, Jufri, was killed by a booby trap as he lowered a GAM flag in Buloh Blang Ara village, Kuta Makmur district, North Aceh.

A military officer was also wounded in the blast.

On Monday, ten Army soldiers were injured, some seriously, when a truck carrying them to Bireuen, Pidie regency crashed in a village near the town on Monday.

Local Indonesian defense force (TNI) spokesman Maj. Eddi Fernandi said the truck, in a convoy from North Aceh, was due to driver error and slippery roads.

Those injured in the accident were Pvt. Sinaga, Pvt. Supardi, Pvt. Gunawan, 2nd. Sgt. Ukari, 2nd. Sgt. Manalu, Pvt. Sapulete, Pvt. Victor, Pvt. Ali. Pvt. Wilyan, and Pvt. Siwendra.

The seriously wounded were taken to Medan for treatment.