National

Sweden Prosecutors to Question GAM Figures in Indonesia
19 Pebruari 2004

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Officials from the Stockholm prosecutors’ office in Sweden are to question 13 members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Indonesia.

According to Ben Perkasa Drajat, Head of Political Affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm, during a telephone conversation with Tempo News Room on Thursday (19/2), the names of the 13 have been kept secret.

Based on a copy of the ruling that was received by the Stockholm’s Prosecutors Office Head Tomas Lindstrand on Monday (16/2), the GAM members were connected with the bombing of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) on September 13, 2000, the bombing of Atrium Senen mall on September 23, 2001, and the bombing of Cijantung Graha Mall (July 1, 2002).

They were also allegedly involved in the assassination cases of Teuku Nazaruddin Daud on February 25, 2000 and university lecturer, Prof. Dayan Daud, the burning of at least six school units in Nagan Raya and Kuala areas in Aceh and the kidnapping of 243 civilians in the period of December 2003-February 2004.



“Aside than questioning GAM members in Indonesia, the Stockholm prosecutors’ office will also question the kidnapping victims who have been released as well as the GAM leaders in Sweden,” said Drajat.


The GAM leaders are likely charged with articles 2,3,4 & 6 of the Sweden criminal law, with the possible imprisonment of between two and eight years.



The Indonesian Government is ready to welcome and support the arrival of the team from the Sweden prosecutors’ office.


“Politically, the government has given its support. But, we do not want to interfere in the legal process. At each stage, we will facilitate and support the Sweden prosecutors’ office team the best that we can so that no technical problems will disturb their work,” said Department of Foreign Affairs’ spokesman Marty Natalegawa.



According to him, the Indonesian Government is not worried if GAM leader Hassan Tiro and other leaders plan to reveal the human rights’ violations by the Indonesian Military (TNI) in Aceh during their trials.


He said he believed that the GAM’s efforts would not succeed to draw the attention of the international community.


“They have been doing that for quite a long time. But, they are yet to be successful,” said Natalegawa.


It is scheduled that Tomas Lindstrand, Stockholm prosecutors’ office deputy head Agnetha Hilding and three Swedish police officers will arrive in Indonesia next month.



Faisal - Tempo News Room