Aceh negotiators put on trial

By Rachel Harvey BBC, Jakarta

Three former rebel negotiators have gone on trial in Aceh charged with treason and terrorism offences.

Teku Kamaruzzan, Muhamad bin Usman and Amni bin Ahmad Marzuki are part of a group of five people being tried separately in the regional capital, Banda Aceh.

They were arrested on the day the Indonesian Government launched its new offensive against the rebels two months ago.

The three men, part of a team who represented the Free Aceh Movement [Gam] during negotiations with the Indonesian Government, were due to take part in internationally-sponsored talks in Tokyo in May.

The meeting was arranged to try to save the peace process in Aceh, but the rebel representatives were arrested on their way to the airport.

They were briefly released then re-arrested when the Tokyo talks broke down.

Now they have been charged under anti-terrorism legislation introduced after the Bali bomb attacks last October.

Specifically, they are accused of trying to undermine the government of Indonesia and of involvement in small bomb explosions in Jakarta and Medan earlier this year.

The charge of treason carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

If found guilty of the charge of terrorism, the defendants could face the death penalty.

Speaking outside the court in Banda Aceh, one of the defence lawyers said the charges were unfounded and that his clients were negotiators not rebel fighters.