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)