Nur Raihan, Banda Aceh – Two volunteers from the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Zakaria (72) and Nuraini (27), have been held by the Pidie district police since Friday morning. The two, who were taken from their homes near the village of Lhok Keutapang in the Delima sub-district of Pidie, are said to be involved in the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) network.

Zakaria is the field coordinator for Kontras in Pidie while Nuraini is a just a volunteer. The Pidie district military commander, Lieutenant Colonel Supartodi told the press on Friday that both were arrested by the members of the Pidie district police and a Mobile Brigade unit because they were strongly suspected of being members of GAM.

Security personnel also seized a mobile phone, ammunition for a hand gun, scores of stolen identity cards, eight telephone receipts, a phone book, a copy of Tempo magazine and a photograph of [GAM military commander] Abdulah Syafe'i. The Kontras office has been closed since marshal law came into force in Aceh.

Another person, Zulkifli (52), was arrested along with the two volunteers. A resident of the Delima sub-district, he is said to be a member of GAM who is active in collecting funds (illegal taxes). The three were arrested last Thursday afternoon.

[Abridged translation by James Balowski.]