Civilians get 20 years for Papua arsenal theft

Civilians get 20 years for Papua arsenal theft

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua

The Wamena District Court sentenced on Tuesday two civilians to 20 years in prison each for their roles in breaking into a military arsenal in Wamena last year and stealing rifles and ammunition.

The two, among seven defendants in the case, were identified as Kimanus and Des Wenda.

Iwan K. Niode, one of the lawyers for the two defendants, said he would appeal the verdict.

He accused the three judges who heard the case of being partial, pointing out that the verdict was handed down only a day after the suspects' lawyers had presented their defense.

"The lawyers read out their defense on Monday, but the verdict was handed down the very next day. It shows that the judges has prepared their verdict beforehand without even weighing the defense," Iwan said on Wednesday.

It normally takes a week after a defense is read before judges hearing a case announce a verdict, he said.

The arsenal theft occurred on April 4 last year. The culprits, who the Indonesian Military (TNI) claimed were members of the rebel Free Papua Movement (OPM), made off with 27 rifles and thousands of bullets.

First. Lt. Napitupulu and Second. Sgt. Ruben Lena from the Jayawijaya Military district command in Wamena were killed in an exchange of fire with the thieves. A number of thieves also died.

Sixteen people have been charged in the incident, seven of them civilians and nine TNI soldiers.

All of the soldiers have been sentenced to between six months and 14 months in prison.

Five of the civilian defendants have been sentenced by the Wamena District Court, while two others are still awaiting to hear their fates.

Defendants Kanius Murib, Nungungga Telenggen and Yaprai Murib, were sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday.

Verdicts for the two remaining defendants, Michael Haselo and Apot Nagolik, will be handed down during a court session scheduled for Thursday.