Soldier receives 11 years

Soldier receives 11 years

JAKARTA (JP): A military tribunal in Mataram, West Nusa
Tenggara, sentenced a soldier to 11 years in prison and dismissed
him from the Armed Forces for killing a civilian in March.

Judge Col. Hadi Sutantyo said in his verdict that First
Private Masdi, 25, was guilty of murdering Ainuddin, 48. Masdi
owed Ainuddin Rp 1.5 million (US$640) and could not pay it back.

"It was an inhuman, sadistic act... the defendant wanted to
dump Ainuddin's body in the sea," said Hadi, who took three hours
to read the verdict.

Masdi admitted to killing Ainuddin on March 12 in Pringgabaya
village in eastern Lombok because he could not pay off his debt.

According to the verdict, Masdi repeatedly hit the victim's
head with a hard instrument, causing fatal injuries.

The judge said Masdi deserved the sentence because his crime
tarnished the Armed Forces' image as a whole.

"There is no reason to keep him in the Armed Forces. It is
appropriate that he is dismissed," he said.

The accused's lawyer, Capt. Fauzi, said he would need several
days to decide if he would appeal. (pan)