ABC AUSTRALIA, 20/07/2004 13:04:57
Swedish court drops charges against GAM leader
Sweden says it should not be criticised by Indonesia for a decision by prosecutors to
drop all charges against the exiled former leader of the separatist Free Aceh
Movement (GAM).
Stockholm's chief international prosecutor, Tomas Lindstrand, has dropped the
charges against Hasan di Tiro, on the grounds he is now "merely a moral authority for
the movement."
Hasan di Tiro has been living in exile in Sweden since 1979 and holds a Swedish
passport.
GAM's self-styled "prime minister" Malik Mahmud and "foreign minister" Zaini
Abdullah, who are also both exiled in Sweden, are suspected of having led the
movement in recent years.
Both Abdullah and Mahmud are still under investigation for "grave breaches of
international law", but were released from custody last month after prosecutors
determined that there was not enough evidence to hold them.
Indonesia has been urging Sweden to take action against the three on the grounds
that they are directing the revolt in Aceh.
GAM has been fighting since 1976 for the independence of Aceh province.
20/07/2004 13:04:57 | ABC Radio Australia News
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