Jakarta – Police in Maluku province arrested seven suspected separatists on Sunday during a dawn raid on a house in the provincial capital of Ambon, police said.

The seven were detained for holding an illegal meeting at the house of a man identified as Jhony Rea to discuss plans to hoist the separatist South Maluku Republic (RMS) flag on theorganization's 53rd anniversary on April 25, Maluku Police Chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Sutrisno said.

Sutrisno was quoted by Antara as saying that the police had been watching Rea's house for days before the raid was launched. He said that some documents were found in the house and they were currently being studied by the police but he declined to give more details.

Authorities have issued warnings against anyone raising the RMS flag on April 25. They have spoken of stern measures against anyone taking part in such a subversive activity.