GAM former leader to return for Idul Fitri

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 09/24/2008 3:36 PM | National

Former supreme leader of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) Hasan Tiro is expected to arrive in the country on Oct. 11 after living in Sweden for almost 30 years in exile.

Hasan wants to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan, also known as Idul Fitri, with the people of Aceh, said Aceh Transition Commission (KPA) head Muzakkir Manaf in Banda Aceh on Wednesday.

"He wants to be here not because he was invited by any party, bu purely out of his wish to meet with his family and the people of Aceh," Manaf said.

Earlier this month, the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam government invited Hasan to attend the local celebration of the Idul Fitri.

Hasan led the separatist movement in exile in Stockholm, Sweden, for 25 years until he signed a peace agreement with the government in Helsinki, Finland, in August 2005.

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