Police allege GAM behind three bombings

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.