UNHCR workers rescued in gun battle

Wed, 30 Jan 2002, 00:00 WIB | Source: JP

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) have
rescued three foreign workers of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) taken hostage by the separatist
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) at Alue Piet village, West Aceh.

Spokesman for the Aceh Security Restoration Operation Adj. Sr.
Comr. Agus Dwiyanto said the three, all Dutch nationals, were
identified as Johannes Otto Reinhold, Johanna Petro Nella and
Hendrikus Johannes Cornelis.

Agus said the workers had been held hostage by GAM after they
were captured making their way from the province's capital of
Banda Aceh to Meulaboh, West Aceh, aboard a Kijang minivan on
Sunday.

The rebels seized Rp 4 million in cash and a wrist watch from
the UNHCR workers, he said on Monday.

Agus said the release was carried out during a gunfight
between Brimob troops and rebels. --Antara

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