Unofficial Translation INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF 10 GAM'S MEMBER IN THE VILLAGE OF COT RABO BAROH, DISTRICT OF MATANG GEULUMPANG DUA, BIREUN REGENCY                  The death of 10 GAM's member, who died in clash with TNI, has been thoroughly investigated on the spot on 21 May 2003 at 1900 hours and was continued on 24 May 2003. The investigation team consisted of 5 (five) personnel from the Military Police Unit headed by Capt Ali Imron. It was also attended by 5 (five) persons from national media i.e. Mr. Faisal Asegaf and Mr. Bernard Chaniago from Tempo; Mr. Adek from the Jakarta Post; Mr. Wayan from RCTI, and Mr. Heru from Kompas.          Four witnesses were questioned in the investigation. They were: First, Mr. A. Halim, 32 years old, a resident of Alue Julouk Village, District of Peusangan, Bireun Regency. He is currently residing in Kampung Jawa Lama in Lhouksemawe, as his old house was burned down by GAM; Second, Mr. Muhammad Puteh (45) of Alue Geulumpang Village, District of Peusangan, Bireun Regency; Third, Mr. M. Ali Ahmad (50) of Panti Cot Village, District of Peusangan, Bireun Regency; Fourth, Mr. Ibrahim Hasim (48) of Cot Rabo Village, District of Peusangan, Bireun Regency.          In his explanation, Mr Halim - the first witness - acknowledged that he knew 5 (five) out of 10 GAM's members who died in the incident. This was due to the fact that Mr. Halim had been shot in his chin from 3 (three) meters range by these men since he refused to pay the "Nanggroe Tax" and that they (GAM) burned down his house in Abue Jalok Village, District of Peusangan, Bireun Regency.          The second witness, Mr. Muhammad Puteh, pointed out that he knew all of the deceased men and confirmed that they were GAM members. Mr. Puteh explained that he knew their activities such as the burning of a school building in Cot Rabo Village, District of Peusangan, Bireun Regency, during which time he was chopping down a tree, and also the fact that he was once asked by GAM to pay them the "Nanggroe Tax".          Mr. Ali Ahmad, the third witness, explained that he knew these GAM members since 2 (two) years ago as he was asked to pay the "Nanggroe Tax" under gunpoint.          The fourth witness, Mr. Ibrahim Hasim, told investigators that he knew these men as GAM members in March 2003. Mr. Hasim had been detained and beaten by this group for 5 (five) days and was taken to GAM Headquarters in Alue Bayu Village, District of Peusangan, Bireun Regency. He was accused for being the spy for TNI. Mr. Halim further explained that people in surrounding area were living in fear and felt threatened by GAM. They have asked for TNI Checkpoint to be built in the area so that they can point out without fears GAM's position in the village.          Chronological Events of the Incident:          On 20 May 2003 at 20.00 hours, 6 (six) REO trucks containing 87 (eighty-seven) PARAKO troops headed by Capt. Inf. Mahfud Supriyadi were moving toward Matang Mamplam Village in order to strike GAM. Mr. Ibrahim (third witness) and Mr. Halim (fourth witness), who acted as road guides, joined the convoy. At 22.00 hours the convoy arrived in KOTIS DEN-71 and took a break till dawn.          On Wednesday 21 May at approximately 02.30 hours, Parako Troop moved towards the target. Upon arrival at Cot Paseh Village, Parako Troop got off the truck and proceeded on foot to Krueng Dee Village. The troop had to move to the left to avoid the bridge, which connected Krueng Dee and Cot Paseh villages, as it was estimated that the bridge was rigged with bomb by the GAM. After walking for about 100 meters, bomb explosion was heard coming from the bridge and at the same time, two youths (13 years) were spotted running toward a rice mill not far from the bridge.          Approximately 05.00 hours, the Parako Troop moved towards the target and conducted surveillance. Shortly 2 (two) GAM members walked towards the troop. About 100 m from the troop, the two GAM members ran and shouted "Pai masuk, lari" (soldiers are coming, run). The two GAM members were ordered to stop, but they disregarded the order and continued to run away. At the same time, gun shoots were heard from about 500 m ahead of the troop. In order to apprehend them, gunshots were fired.          During crossfire, GAM members from inside huts tried to escape, but were apprehended by the third witness (Mr. Ibrahim). When asked in Acehnese "Sou Dro Keuh" (who are you), one of them answered "Lon Anggota Marinir GAM" (I'm a GAM Marine). The man had a Kenwood HT and was asked again "Siapa Temanmu itu" (who's your friend?). He answered "Nyan Waki Lon (he's my deputy). They suddenly tried to get away and disregarded order to stop. Shoots were fired to stop them.          The crossfire happened in about 01.30 hours. The troop conducted a sweeping and found 10 (ten) GAM members dead. Their remains were handed over to Keucik (head of village) Matang Mamplam to be buried. During the burial, civilian witnesses were able to identify the bodies, among them were: 1. Mr. Anas Munazir, 13 years old, Cot Rabo Tunong Village 2. Mr Dedi Daud, 31 years old, Cot Rabo Tunong Village 3. Mr Tasran Dahlan, 18 years old, Pulo Naleung Village 4. Mr. Effendi Marzuki, 25 years old, Matang Mamplam Village 5. Mr. Nasrullah Yusuf, 17 years old, Alue Glumpang Village         Based on the information from witnesses and evidences found, it was concluded that the 10 (ten) victims who died during the ambush and crossfire between Parako10 Troop and the GAM were indeed GAM members.         The ten victims were not executed lined up in one place, but in separate places at one location. The shooting by Parako-10 Troop was done in line with the procedure, as the GAM members were told to stop, but chose to disregard the order and even tried to escape. The actions taken were based on the authority given by the law.

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