ABC AUSTRALIA, 30/12/2003 05:03:21
Indonesian journalist found dead in war-torn Aceh
An Indonesian television journalist has been found dead in Aceh province, six months
after he was kidnapped by separatist rebels.
Ersa Siregar from the private RCTI television network went missing with his
cameraman in June, reportedly caught in conflict between rebels of the Free Aceh
Movement or GAM and the military.
A military spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Ahmad Yani Basuki says Siregar was
found dead alongside the body of a GAM rebel.
It's not known what happened to the cameraman, Ferry Santoro.
The military launched an offensive and imposed martial law in Aceh, on the northern
tip of Sumatra island soon after peace talks collapsed in May.
Reuters news agency says GAM officials could not be reached for comment.
Both the military and GAM rebels have been accused by human rights groups of
abuses against civilians in the conflict.
30/12/2003 05:03:21 | ABC Radio Australia News
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