Soldiers involved in U. Pandang deaths sentenced to jail
Soldiers involved in U. Pandang deaths sentenced to jail
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): A military tribunal
sentenced six soldiers to between 90 days and 105 days in prison
for using excessive force in handling the demonstrations here in
April, which resulted in the death of three students.
Col. Susanto, head of the military tribunal's panel of judges,
said soldiers had been found guilty of the charges filed against
them as stipulated in Article 103 of the military criminal code.
"Because of that it is natural that they be held responsible
for their actions with a three month jail sentence," he said.
Second Lieutenants Budiyana, 36, Djoni Prasetyo, 24, and Agus
Priyanto 32, were brought in for the trial session first and
sentenced to 90 days in prison each.
Their three comrades, second lieutenants Supomoro, 28, Rohadi
Ibnu, 28, and Agus Moechtarom 27, followed and were each
sentenced to 105 days.
The six army officers were also told to pay court fees ranging
from Rp 4,000 (US$1.70) to Rp 5,000.
The sentences handed down yesterday were shorter than the five
and six month terms for each group demanded by chief military
prosecutor Lt. Col. Rachman.
A massive demonstration occurred in the city of Ujungpandang
in April to protest the mayor's decision to raise public transit
fares by an average of 66 percent.
To quell the demonstration, soldiers entered the campus of the
Indonesian Moslem University (UMI). Some then chased and beat up
students, the court said in its verdict.
Death
To escape, three students plunged to their death into the
river behind the campus, according to the judges.
Judges noted that while the soldiers who entered the campus
and used excessive force remain unidentified, the six officers,
as platoon commanders, must take responsibility for the actions
of their men.
The judges said the officers had failed to control their men
who broke ranks and ran down the student demonstrators.
In the first session, Budiyana, on behalf of his two comrades,
said, after consulting with their lawyer, that they would appeal.
"We object to the verdict and will appeal," he told the judges.
The three other officers, Supomoro, Rohadi Ibnu and Agus
Moechtarom, said they would need time to consider appealing the
sentence.
The trial received a great deal of attention from the public.
The gallery remained full throughout many of the proceedings.
Also attending yesterday's sentencing was Syahban Nur, mother
of M. Tasrif, one of the students who died in the demonstration.
She wept after hearing the judges announce the sentences.
(20/mds)