Xinhua News Agency, April 27, 2006 01:11:43
Three arrested in Indonesia for waving separatist flags
Apr. 27, 2006 (Xinhua News Agency delivered by Newstex) -- Three arrested in
Indonesia for waving separatist flags
JAKARTA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian police have arrested three people in the
eastern province of Maluku for hoisting the flag of the outlawed separatist group South
Maluku Republic (RMS), a report said Thursday.
Local officers have earlier collected evidence against the suspected rebels, including
photos of flag waving ceremony during the group's anniversary on April 24 and several
documents on RMS activities.
The three -- identified as Popy Egendos, John Sahureka and Dominggus -- were
nabbed at their homes on Ambon island without resistance, reported the Detikcom
news website.
"I believe that there are more supporters of this group apart from the three suspects,"
Ambon police chief Leonidas Praksan was quoted as saying.
The group was immediately crushed after its declaration in 1950 but their struggle
re-emerged post the downfall of the Soeharto regime in 1998.
The group's top leader, Alex Manuputty, fled a treason conviction in December 2003
and has since resided in the United States. He was sentenced to three years in jail a
year earlier.
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