By Kevin M. Mathewson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia — An Indonesian military tribunal Thursday jailed eight Special Forces soldiers after they were found guilty of premeditated murder and assisting pre-mediated murder. In March the soldiers stormed a prison near Yogyakarta and murdered four inmates accused of murdering their superior officer in a nightclub brawl.
Second Sergeant Sugeng Sumariyanto and First Corporal Kodik were sentenced to eight and six years, respectively. Second Sergeant Ucok Tampubolon, the soldier who pulled the trigger, was sentenced to eleven years.
Lawyers for the three solider said they will appeal against their convictions and argued there is no evidence that the crime was planned.
President Judge Joko Sasmito said the men have tarnished the army’s honor with their actions. The case has been followed closely in Indonesia where human rights groups say the army is notorious for acting with impunity.
“The defendants actions cost the lives of four people, caused grief to the victims’ families and traumatised [sic] many people, including the prisoners.” Chief judge Lieutenant Colonel Joko Samito said.
Five other soldiers were found guilty of assisting pre-mediated murder after they destroyed CCTV footage inside the prison where the murders took place. They were subsequently sentenced to one year and nine months in jail each.
The revenge killings have sparked a public outcry after they have evoked memories of the three decade dictatorship of Suharto, when the army often acted without consequence.
Indonesian Human Rights Monitor executive director Poengky Indart, criticized the sentences as not harsh enough. Indart said the case should have been tried by a civilian’s court, where the soldiers would have likely received longer punishments.
“The military tribunal is a nest of impunity. We must revise current laws so military personnel can be tried in civilian courts.” Indart stated.
The case, however, has exposed deep divisions in the young democracy, with some supporting the soldiers for acting decisively against criminals, saying it was a stark contrast to the weak civilian courts and police.
As the soldiers waited to hear their fate, scores of supporters in paramilitary uniforms rallied outside the court in Yogyakarta.
For further information, please see:
Australia Network News – Indonesian Kopassus special forces soldiers to appeal against convictions for deadly raid on Cebongan prison – 6 September 2013
BBC News – Indonesia jails eight soldiers over Yogyakarta prison killings – 5 September 2013
MSN News – Indonesian elite soldiers jailed over prison murders – 5 September 2013
Voice of America – Indonesian Soldiers Sentenced for Prison Murders – 5 September 2013
Straits Times – Indonesia jails 4 more elite soldiers over prison revenge killings – 5 September 2013
