Soldier jailed for killing three

NABIRE, Irian Jaya: First Private Samto of the Nabire Infantry battalion was sentenced to one year and 10 months imprisonment for reckless driving which caused the death of three high school students last year.

The military tribunal handed down the verdict on Friday.

"You are guilty...of causing the death of three students, a gross violation of article 359 of the Criminal Code," Chief Judge Lt. Col. Amirudin Rochim was quoted by Antara as saying.

The incident took place last September while Samto was driving a military truck filled with Nabire high school students going home after a routine training session at the battalion grounds.

Samto, driving at high speeds, lost control of the vehicle as it approached a bend in the Kaliharapan village. The truck flipped upside down, killing three students.(imn)