Police allege GAM behind three bombings
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
With attention focused on the JW Marriott bombing investigation and the death sentence handed down to Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, police have isolated the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist group as allegedly being responsible for three bombings in the capital this year.
National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Friday that police had captured on Wednesday two of three suspects, but the third had fled to Aceh.
"The group of three suspects were identified as GAM (members). They had launched attacks in various places," Da'i told the media.
The attacks that they were said to be responsible for were those at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jl. Wahid Hasyim near the United Nations representative office in Central Jakarta, and the Legislative House complex.
Da'i met with legislators on Friday to discuss the latest development over the carnage at the Marriott hotel in which 10 people were killed and 149 wounded.
The two Acehnese suspects were arrested separately in East Bekasi. Adityawarman, 23, was caught at a food stall near his rented house on Jl. Pahlawan, Duren Jaya; while Fadli Hasan, 42, was nabbed at his house in Perumnas III, Bintan Raya, Setia Mekar, East Bekasi.
Da'i declined to name the third suspect who is still at large.
Police sources who have been involved in the investigation of the three bombings said that Adityawarman and Fadli were the executors of the bombings.
"Adityawarman's thin body and small posture enabled him to trespass the House compound's fence and plant the bomb," a source said.
"Their aim to spread terror in the city was related to the incessant conflict in Aceh," said another source.
Police also seized three bombs from the rented houses. Two bombs were complete while another still needed to be assembled.
Da'i said that the evidence found at the houses was in accordance to the evidence confiscated by police at the three blast sites, (in the airport, UN office and House compound).
The airport bombing injured 11, while no injuries resulted from the UN office and DPR compound bombings. No fatalities were recorded.
"In addition to making the bombs, they will also be charged with the illegal possession of ammunitions and arms," said Da'i.