Prosecutors want 14 years for GAM speechwriter

Prosecutors want 14 years for GAM speechwriter

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

Prosecutors demanded on Saturday a 14-year jail term for a man
who wrote speeches and campaigned on behalf of the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) in its fight for independence.

Irwandi Yusuf alias Isnandar Al Passee, dubbed GAM's campaign
manager, was charged with voluntarily supporting the separatist
group through his campaign and publications.

The prosecutors said Irwandi was responsible for media
releases and other publication materials related to the
activities of the rebels. The defendant is also known to be the
speechwriter for several GAM leaders during a series of peace
talks sponsored by a Swiss-based organization and which included
the Indonesian government.

"The defendant violated Article 106 of the Criminal Code on
treason," the prosecutors told the Banda Aceh District Court.

Irwandi, a veterinarian and noted elephant trainer, was
arrested in Jakarta following the imposition of martial law in
the province on May 19.

He is known to have worked closely with GAM leaders, such as
the movement's armed wing commander, Muzakir Manaf, and other top
figures such as Sofyan Dawood and Ishak Daud.

The defendant also served as the interpreter for the rebel
group at international functions.

During the trial, Irwandi, who is also a lecturer at a state-
owned university in Aceh, was accompanied by his lawyer M.
Syafi'e Saragih.

Prosecutors also presented various documents and drafts of
speeches belonging to the separatist movement and a notebook
computer as evidence.

The trial will resume on Thursday to hear the defense argument
from Irwandi's lawyer.

Since the imposition of the martial law, the police and
Indonesian Military (TNI) have arrested over 1,000 GAM members
and supporters as part of the operation to enforce the law. The
police have handed over 350 cases involving suspected GAM members
and supporters to prosecutors, some of whom are now on trial.

In a related development, police shot dead a GAM leader from
Pidie regency, Jailani bin Yusuf, on Friday after they said he
had resisted arrest.

"When the police were trying to arrest him, he opened fire at
the officers," spokesman for Aceh Police Sr. Comr. Sayed Hoesainy
told a press conference on Saturday.

Police confiscated an FN pistol and dozens of ammunition from
Jailani.