Nisam – An American holed up with rebels in Aceh province presented himself on Tuesday to the Indonesian Military which has threatened to prosecute him for allegedly spying.

William Nessen, who says he is a journalist, has been with the rebels since Indonesia launched its latest offensive against the insurgents on May 19. The military has repeatedly demanded he leave the rebels, and have questioned whether he is really a journalist, a rebel supporter or a spy.

Looking thin but healthy, Nessen was met by a US Embassy official and a senior officer from the Indonesian military when he gave himself up in Paya Dua village in the north of the province, said an AP reporter at the scene.

Nessen said nothing while he was put into an armored vehicle and taken away to an undisclosed location. It was not immediately clear whether he would be charged.

Nessen, a 46-year-old New York native, has tried to negotiate safe passage from Aceh over recent weeks. Several US officials have reportedly asked the government to guarantee his safety.