GAM members to be charged with treason
GAM members to be charged with treason
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Arrested members of separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) will be
charged under the country's Criminal Code for committing treason
and the Emergency Law No. 23/1959 if they were caught in
possession of weapons, Military Police Chief Maj. Gen. Sulaiman
A.B. says.
The laws carry maximum penalties of life in jail and the death
penalty respectively.
Sulaiman's remarks on Monday contradicted earlier statements
by police investigators that suspected GAM members and supporters
would be charged under new terrorism laws due to GAM's alleged
involvement in a string of bomb attacks across the country.
The terrorism law allows law enforcers to detain and question
suspected GAM members and supporters without the presence of a
lawyer as required by the Criminal Code.
Sulaiman said all alleged GAM rebels would be tried at Nasi
island near the provincial capital Banda Aceh.
Earlier, TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the
military would invite civilian judges and prosecutors, while
joint military and police teams would investigate and interrogate
suspected GAM rebels.
The government last month launched what it called an
integrated operation to "crush" the almost three-decade long
secessionist movement.
More than 10,000 people, mostly innocent civilians, have been
killed or murdered in the violence, blamed on both the Indonesian
Military (TNI) and GAM.
The integrated operation consists of a security campaign,
humanitarian mission, the strengthening of local government and
law enforcement.
The police are assigned to lead the law enforcement drive in
the province with the assistance of the Military Police.
The government has also considered granting amnesty to GAM
members who surrender, an official said on Monday.
Lt. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, an assistant to Coordinating Minister
for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said
an amnesty would only be granted with the approval of the House
of Representatives.
"We (the government) will consider giving amnesty to GAM
rebels who surrender to the Unitary Republic of Indonesia. But of
course such considerations require the approval of legislators,"
Sudi told The Jakarta Post by telephone.
He said rebels who surrendered to the government would not
escape punishment for crimes committed outside their fight for
Independence.
Last week, the Martial Law Administration issued instructions
to military authorities in Aceh to treat surrendering GAM rebels
humanely and provide protection.
The instruction also urged security personnel to intensify the
military operation and to protect civilians through humanitarian
missions.