Rebel sympathizers jailed in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Three sympathizers of the Aceh separatist movement were sentenced to between three and four years in jail by the district court here yesterday.

The court found Rusli, 22, M. Yusuf, 31, and T. Abdullah guilty of subversion and sentenced them to three and half years, three years, and four years imprisonment respectively .

Presiding judge Sofyan said in his verdict that the defendants had shown no remorse for supporting the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, or Free Aceh Movement.

The defendants, the judge said, "knew a lot" about the movement's logistics provision and marijuana trading, Antara reported.

Neither the prosecutors nor the defense lawyers contended the verdict. (aan)