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Soldier faces 20 years for lending gun
An Indonesian Military (TNI) soldier, chief Pvt
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n Indonesian Military (TNI) soldier, chief Pvt. Heri Safitri, 31, may face 20 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge for his alleged involvement in an attack at a NasDem Party campaign post in Matangkuli village, North Aceh regency, Aceh, on Feb. 16.
Heri's trial at the 1-01 Military Court in Banda Aceh opened on Tuesday.
Prosecutors charged him with violating Law No. 12/1951 on firearm use and the 2009 law on narcotics.
Prosecutor Uje Koswara told the court that the defendant, who was assigned to the 111 Raider Yonif in North Aceh to safeguard a palm oil mill, had also been under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack.
'We are charging him for lending a firearm and bullets to a person who was not authorized to own, possess or use firearms,' said Uje.
According to Uje, Heri lent his SS2-V1 rifle to the alleged assailant, Rasyidin alias Mario, 30, to hunt wild boar in a nearby oil palm plantation area.
Rasyidin used the gun to attack the NasDem campaign post. The local police quickly apprehended Rasyidin and his accomplice, Umar Adam alias Membe, 35. Both are members of the Aceh Transitional Committee (KPA).
In the trial on Tuesday, results of a ballistics examination showed that the weapon Rasyidin used in the attack belonged to a soldier. The trial has been adjourned until May 6 to hear witness testimony.
Commenting on the issue, head of the Law Enforcement Division at the Iskandar Muda Regional Command (Korem), Lt. Col. Syaarif AA, said the TNI was committed to bringing soldiers involved in political violence or drugs to justice.
'This [case] infuriates us. We regret the defendant's misconduct that has tarnished our image. This incident has made people think that we are not neutral [in the election], while the TNI commander [Gen. Moeldoko] has repeatedly told us to maintain our neutrality,' Syaarif said.
'Therefore, we will strictly punish all personnel who taint our institution.'
Earlier on Friday, Moeldoko apologized for the involvement of TNI personnel in the incident. 'I regret that the issue has contributed to the current tension in Aceh,' Moeldoko said.
Several violent incidents involving members of political parties occurred in Aceh ahead of the April 9 legislative election.
