JAYAPURA: The Jayapura Military Court began on Thursday the trial of
three soldiers charged with murdering Kinderman Giri, a reverend from
Kalome village in Tingginambut district, Puncak Jaya regency, Papua, on
March 17, 2010.
The three defendants, who were stationed at the
military district headquarters in Nabire, Papua, at the time of the
incident, were identified as First Sgt. Saut Sihombing, Second Pvt. Hery
Purwanto and First Pvt. Hasirun.
They were charged under Article 351 of the Military Penal Code on
torture and failure to carry out orders. Hery was charged with neglect
resulting in a death.
The trial session, led by Maj. Suyitno Heri
Prasetion, began with witnesses taking the stand.
The three
defendants allegedly beat civilians of Kalome village on March 17, 2010,
including Rev. Kinderman, who was found dead seven days after the
incident.
First Pvt. Hasirun, one of the witnesses, said that the
beatings happened when the soldiers were under orders to guard a convoy
of vehicles transporting food supplies from Wamena to Mulia. JP