Leading Aceh rebel surrenders to military
Leading Aceh rebel surrenders to military
Tengku Agam Muzakir and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post,
Lhokseumawe/Medan
A top Free Aceh Movement (GAM) figure has surrendered to the
military authorities in West Aceh regency, the Indonesian
Military (TNI) announced on Thursday.
Military operation in Aceh spokesman Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani
Basuki said Ibrahim Syafii, who claimed to be the GAM governor in
Meulaboh, surrendered to West Aceh Military Command troops at
around 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
Yani identified Ibrahim as one of the most-wanted loyalists of
Hasan Tiro, the head of GAM living in exile in Sweden.
"Before his submission, he (Ibrahim) met with local community
leaders in Blang Balee village to express his intention to rejoin
the Unitary State of Indonesia. The community figures then
brought him to the TNI," Yani told Antara.
No weapons or GAM symbols were confiscated from Ibrahim, who
is now in military custody for questioning over his involvement
in the separatist rebel group.
TNI is intensifying the hunt for top GAM leaders during the
second period of martial law, which was extended for another six
months on Nov. 19.
The TNI claims that some 2,000 rebels have been captured or
have surrendered during the military offensive.
There is no way to confirm the TNI figures due to
internationally criticized controls on the media and aid
agencies.
Yani also said that five other GAM members were captured,
three had surrendered and three were killed in separate
operations throughout Wednesday.
Separately, the martial law administration in Aceh said a team
had been sent to Aceh Singkil regency to investigate the cause of
an accident involving an armored car. A cameraman from Indosiar
television station was killed and five military personnel and
another journalist wounded in the incident.
The body of Arie Waylan Orah, 44, was taken to his home in
Pamulang in Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday. He was expected to be
buried Friday.
Arie, 44, was killed when the armored car overturned after its
brakes apparently failed near Sulambe Baru village in Aceh
Singkil regency.
His colleague, Siska Gurning, was hospitalized with serious
head injuries. They were accompanying the deputy assistant to
Army chief for logistics.
All the survivors are being treated at Kodam I Bukit Barisan
military hospital in Medan.
Siska remained unable to communicate as of Thursday.
One of the military personnel wounded in the accident, Pvt.
Supriadi, told The Jakarta Post the armored vehicle rammed into a
rock and rolled over a hill after its brakes failed.