Rebel faces life sentence

Rebel faces life sentence

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for 46-year-old Teungku Btk., the leader of the religious sect Bantaqiah accused of financing underground activities through drug proceeds.

The accused is the self-styled minister of food in the Free Aceh Movement, who has sworn several members of his followers to secrecy about their activities, prosecutor Mohd. Sidik said at the Lhokseumawe district court Wednesday.

He has also silenced other separatist rebels from another obscure sect called Guru Rachmad, the prosecutor said.

Teungku was one of five Bantaqiah members brought to trial. Jail terms have been sought for all but one of them. Earlier, prosecutors had sought 15 year and 18 year jail terms for the two sect members.

The trials of the Bantaqiah members that opened on Dec. 15 last year have regularly drawn large crowds, Antara reported. (pan)