19 May 2004
CAMERAMAN RELEASED
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen, AJI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) are breathing a big sigh of relief following news that Indonesian cameraman Fery Santoro has been released from detention by rebels in Aceh.
Santoro, who had been detained for a year by Free Aceh Movement rebels, was released on 16 May 2004. He was among 100 hostages released over the weekend, according to IFJ. AJI and IFJ had worked actively to secure Santoro's release, holding talks with rebel leaders and Indonesian military authorities over the past year.
AJI had also traveled to Aceh with a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist in the handover of Santoro. Santoro is currently undergoing a medical examination at a hospital in Langsa, a town in eastern Aceh.
Santoro and Ersa Siregar, a fellow journalist for RCTI, were captured by rebels in June 2003. Siregar was killed on 29 December 2003 during a gun battle between rebels and Indonesian forces.
(see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/55847).
Visit these links:
- IFJ: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2497&Language=EN
- BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3719781.stm
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