Soldier gets 10 months for Ngabang shooting

Soldier gets 10 months for Ngabang shooting

JAKARTA (JP): A military tribunal in Pontianak, West
Kalimantan sentenced Second Lt. Jt Simanjuntak to 10 months in
prison yesterday for his involvement in the shooting of peaceful
protesters in April.

Chaired by Lt. Col. CHK Ramadi, the tribunal, which began
proceedings on July 29, found Simanjuntak guilty of mistreatment.

The sentence was two months less than military prosecutor Lt.
Col. CHK Sukirno had demanded. The judge attributed Simanjuntak's
cooperative attitude in the course of trial to the less hefty
punishment.

When asked whether he would appeal, Simanjuntak replied that
he would need time to think it over.

The incident took place in April with the alleged abduction
and torture of a local resident named Jining by 10 Armed Forces
soldiers after a minor road accident involving the civilian and a
soldier.

The abduction provoked the wrath of some 2,000 residents, who
two days later stormed onto the streets after hearing rumors that
Jining had died in the hands of his abductors.

As the mob attacked the Ngabang military headquarters, they
were stopped by troops. As a result, one protester was shot dead
while four others were injured.

As reported by Antara, another military tribunal is looking
into the involvement of five other officers in the Ngabang case.

A 33-year-old captain is facing a four-month jail term for his
involvement in the same affair. He is the commander of an
artillery unit in Ngabang.

Sentences ranging between three months and one year are being
demanded for the four other suspects for their involvement.

The tribunal is expected to announce its decision on the other
defendants on Monday. (mds)