Civilians get 20 years for Papua arsenal theft<\/p>\n
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua<\/p>\n
The Wamena District Court sentenced on Tuesday two civilians to
\n20 years in prison each for their roles in breaking into a
\nmilitary arsenal in Wamena last year and stealing rifles and
\nammunition.<\/p>\n
The two, among seven defendants in the case, were identified
\nas Kimanus and Des Wenda.<\/p>\n
Iwan K. Niode, one of the lawyers for the two defendants, said
\nhe would appeal the verdict.<\/p>\n
He accused the three judges who heard the case of being
\npartial, pointing out that the verdict was handed down only a day
\nafter the suspects' lawyers had presented their defense.<\/p>\n
\"The lawyers read out their defense on Monday, but the verdict
\nwas handed down the very next day. It shows that the judges has
\nprepared their verdict beforehand without even weighing the
\ndefense,\" Iwan said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
It normally takes a week after a defense is read before judges
\nhearing a case announce a verdict, he said.<\/p>\n
The arsenal theft occurred on April 4 last year. The culprits,
\nwho the Indonesian Military (TNI) claimed were members of the
\nrebel Free Papua Movement (OPM), made off with 27 rifles and
\nthousands of bullets.<\/p>\n
First. Lt. Napitupulu and Second. Sgt. Ruben Lena from the
\nJayawijaya Military district command in Wamena were killed in an
\nexchange of fire with the thieves. A number of thieves also
\ndied.<\/p>\n
Sixteen people have been charged in the incident, seven of
\nthem civilians and nine TNI soldiers.<\/p>\n
All of the soldiers have been sentenced to between six months
\nand 14 months in prison.<\/p>\n
Five of the civilian defendants have been sentenced by the
\nWamena District Court, while two others are still awaiting to
\nhear their fates.<\/p>\n
Defendants Kanius Murib, Nungungga Telenggen and Yaprai Murib,
\nwere sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday.<\/p>\n
Verdicts for the two remaining defendants, Michael Haselo and
\nApot Nagolik, will be handed down during a court session
\nscheduled for Thursday.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/civilians-get-20-years-for-papua-arsenal-theft-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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