Banda Aceh - Former negotiator for the Aceh Separatist Movement (GSA), Amni bin Marzuki, claimed here on Wednesday that he was ignorant of any terror acts launched by the Aceh rebel group.

Amni was brought to trial on charges of involvement in terror acts by the GSA rebels, which had caused the death of innocent civilians and the destruction of public facilities, such as school buildings and government offices.

"If I were informed of the acts of the GSA members (terrorizing the people), I and other Aceh Separatist Movement (GSA) negotiators would have tried to stop them," he said on testifying to the district court here.

During the trial session, Amni was flanked by his six legal counsels led by seasoned lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution.

Answering an inquiry by the panel of judges presided over by Saiful Azwir, Amni told the court that he was recruited to the rebel group membership in 1995, and that he was appointed GSA negotiator in 2000 for the Humanitarian Pause dialog.

According to Amni, during his tenure as negotiator, he had never worked with any GSA member to launch terror acts.

He said he was GSA negotiator with the sole purpose of helping seek a peaceful solution to the prolonged Aceh conflict.

On being asked to explain the objective of the GSA, Amni said the movement had been fighting to uphold Aceh sovereignty in a peaceful manner.

According to him, ever since the Dutch colonial ruler abandoned Aceh, the region has never joined the Republic of Indonesia, and that the GSA has been fighting to maintain its independence.

Amni also claimed ignorance on the sources of weapons purchased for the GSA, or the existence of the Aceh National Army (TNA) -- the armed wing of the movement.

The trial drew a large crowd of spectators. It was adjourned until next Wednesday (Sept 17) to hear the demand by the prosecution.

Amni was accused of involvement in, or at least of being informed about the treason and terror acts by the GSA rebels.

The accused was charged with violating Government Regulation in lieu of law No 1/2002 on Eradication of the Crimes of Terrorism, and the country´s Criminal Code. (Antara)