by Mathias Hariyadi

Former member of the Movement for the Liberation of Aceh (GAM), he continued the separatist struggle against Jakarta for years. After two months of negotiations, with 120 militiamen he abandons his weapons and ammunition. The government will grant him amnesty for past crimes.

Banda Aceh (AsiaNews) –Din Minimi, a former fighter of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and most sought after man in Aceh, has surrendered to the Indonesian authorities, it was announced yesterday by the intelligence chief Sutiyoso.

The former general held a brief press conference in Lhokseumawe (east Aceh): "Negotiations with Din Minimi began two months ago and the result is that he and his armed group have decided to abandon their shelters, lay down their weapons and surrender. "

Aceh is located north of the island of Sumatra, and is the only province where shariah is law.

According Sutiyoso, at least 120 militants have deposited their AK-47 automatic assault rifles and a large container full of ammunition. The former governor of Jakarta guarantees "having spent the night in discussions with Din Minimum" and that all fighters will surrender.

News of the surrender of the infamous outlaw was celebrated across the country. Din Minimi, nom de guerre of Nurdin Bin Ismail Amat, has been among the ranks of Gam (Islamic separatist group) in the war for the independence of Aceh from Jakarta.

Staunchly opposed to the agreement reached with the government in 2005, which put an end to a thirty-year war, Minimi left the group with several hundred followers. Disappointed by the rise to power of the leaders of the GAM (one of them is now governor of the province), he lived for years hidden in the forests east of Aceh, continuing his separatist fight with terrorist attacks and killings.

Sutiyoso had received orders from President Joko Widodo to continue negotiations and "solve the Din Minimi problem without violence." With the help of a mediator, the Indonesian authorities have granted amnesty to the fighter for his past crimes and the killing of two members of intelligence services.

Minimi was a GAM member since 1997, as his father Ismail before him. On October 11, 2014, he appeared on the covers of some local newspapers posing with an AK-47 saying he would still fight for the independence of Aceh, for the cause betrayed by GAM leaders.

• INDONESIA
• Aceh
• Islamic
• guerrilla
• leader
• Din
• Minimi
• SURRENDER