Prosecutors complete dossiers on Papua arms thieves
Prosecutors complete dossiers on Papua arms thieves
Nethy Dharma Somba
The Jakarta Post
Jayapura, Papua
Nine soldiers could face sentences of four years to life
imprisonment in connection with last month's raid on the Wamena
military district arsenal that killed three people.
"We have completed the case files and they only need some
corrections," Papua Military Police commander Col. Sutarna said
on Friday.
"We will submit the files to military prosecutors on May 13 at
the latest. The prosecutors will forward the files on to the
military court," he explained.
Police believe the raid on the Wamena arsenal on April 4 was
the work of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) separatist movement.
They also suspect it was an inside job, citing the ease with
which it was carried out.
Two soldiers and one suspected OPM member died in the raid.
The attackers stole dozens of rifles and thousands of rounds of
ammunition.
Prosecutors have charged six soldiers with negligence.
The first four are First Maj. Karel Itlay, First Sgt. Pilemon
Pawiko, Chief Corp. Paus Kogoya and First Pvt. Eduardus Kimirop
whom prosecutors said failed in their duties.
The other two soldiers, First Sgt. Yarima Mable and Second
Corp. Muhidim Liwan Johari, are charged with deserting their
posts at the time the attack occurred.
The six suspects could face four years in prison for
negligence under Article 118 of the military criminal code.
Two other soldiers, Lt. Philipus Wenda and First Sgt. Iton
Kogoya, reportedly gave the attackers ammunition, for which they
could face five-year prison terms.
Further, First Sgt. Serinaus Jikwa allegedly provided the
attackers with information, an offense that Sutarna said could
send him to prison for life.
He added that the soldiers could also be discharged from
service.
Police also arrested seven alleged OPM members, including one
whom they believe was the mastermind behind the attack.
OPM is fighting a low-level war for independence in the vast
but sparsely populated province, where poverty is high despite
its rich natural resources.