Four soldiers facing 28 years imprisonment for battery

BANDA ACEH (JP): A military prosecutor has demanded seven years imprisonment and dismissal from the Armed Forces (ABRI) for four soldiers accused of battery leading to the deaths of four civilian detainees.

Prosecutor Lt. Col. Aris Sudjarwadi said that privates Amsir, Manuhun Harahap and Effendi, and private first class Manolam Situmorang of the North Aceh Battalion 113 Jaya Sakti battered and tortured a number of civilian detainees, four of whom died.

Citing testimonies and other evidence, the prosecutor argued that there were sufficient grounds for the military tribunal to find the four soldiers guilty.

The four defendants have admitted causing the deaths of the four men. They also admitted to seriously injuring 28 other detainees.

"They beat, kicked, and struck the victims with electric cable and M-16 guns," Aris said, as quoted by D&R.

On the night of Jan. 9, police imprisoned 38 people in the National Youth Committee (KNPI) building in the North Aceh capital of Lhokseumawe. They detainees all came from a village in East Aceh where seven soldiers were killed late last year.

The soldiers, who were led by their commander Maj. Bayu Najib, battered and tortured the detainees in revenge for the deaths of their seven comrades.

The four defendants tried on Friday were among 27 soldiers and officers who have been detained in connection with the incident. Witnesses have said the attack on the detainees involved around 100 military personnel.

The remaining 22 soldiers will be tried in the near future.

Maj. Bayu is facing four years imprisonment and dismissal from the Armed Forces for his role in the attack. A separate court martial will rule on Bayu's case on Saturday.

"Their action has tarnished the image of the Armed Forces (ABRI)," the prosecutor said.

Capt. J. Silaban acted as legal counsel for the four soldiers throughout their trial. When asked by the judge, the defendants stated they did not wish to make their own defense statements.

The trial, presided over by Lt. Col. P.J. Piter, will resume on Wednesday. (prb)