T

he Indonesian Military (TNI) held on Monday the first trial of two military soldiers accused of fatally shooting two civilians and injuring three others during a festival in Mimika, Papua, in August.

Many people, including members of the Kamoro Tribe and several high-ranking military officers, attended the trial on Monday, Antara news agency reported.

Military prosecutor Let. Col Jery P and Maj. CHK Agung Ginanto accused suspect Chief Sgt. Makher of intentionally killing others using a firearm. Makher is also accused of torturing people.

Chief Sgt. Makin was accused of assisting the crime.

Two more suspects, First Sgt. Arshar and First Sgt. Imanuel Imbiri, will be tried on Tuesday.

It was reported that two people died and three others were injured when a soldier opened fire on a group of civilians in the early hours of Aug. 27 in Koperapoka Timika.

The clash begun when the suspect, Chief Sgt. Makher, who was drunk at the time, passed the festive area and bumped against a barricade put up by the people. People attending the festival became angry with the soldier. The soldier then asked his fellow soldiers to launch an attack on the people.

The incident claimed the lives of 23-year-old Immanuel Mailmaur and 23-year-old Yulianus Okoare.