Banda Aceh – A court here on Tuesday sentenced a female Aceh independence activist to 11 years imprisonment on charges of treason.

The Banda Aceh District Court said in its ruling Nur Asikin had been found guilty of committing an act of treason by her involvement in the struggle to separate Aceh from the unitary state of Republic of Indonesia.

Presiding Judge A. Hasibuan said the defendant had taken part in the hoisting of separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) flags on December 4, 2000 to mark the rebels' anniversary. In 1999, the court said, Asikin was also involved in several protest rallies that demanded a referendum be held to determine whether Aceh should become an independent country as a peaceful resolution to the 27-year-long separatist struggle.

A similar referendum was held in 1999 in the former Indonesian territory East Timor, resulting in an overwhelming vote for independence.

"The defendant's acts could have triggered hatred of the Indonesian government," Hasibuan said. "Therefore, we hand down a sentence of 11 years in prison." In previous court hearings, state prosecutors demanded the court hand down a 14 year jail sentence for the 46-year-old Asikin.

Responding to the severe sentence, Asikin raised her fist and shouted, "Break up Indonesia." She told the court she would appeal the verdict, arguing she had done nothing wrong. A number of Asikin's female supporters broke down in tears upon hearing the sentence. One of Asikin's defence lawyers, Darwis, described the court's ruling as "too heavy".

In another court room, judges were scheduled to hand down sentences later Tuesday on three negotiators representing the GAM in their peace negotiations with the government, who stand charged with treason and terrorism.