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Papua cops get 21 days in jail after teen’s death
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A Papuan activist shouts slogans during a demonstration to commemorate the West Papuan declaration of independence from Dutch rule in Jakarta on Dec. 1, 2015. The police fired tear gas to disperse more than 100 Papuan protesters during the rally. (JP/DMR)
P
apua Police’s ethical court found five policemen who were members of the Mobile Brigade guilty of ethical violation in “misusing firearms” in the death of a teenager in Sugapa, Intan Jaya regency, Papua, in August this year.
The trial on Friday was carried out behind closed doors and it decided to punish Adj. First Insp. Jackson Simbiak and Chief Brig. Eduardo Ansanay with a 21-day jail sentence. Both were also stripped of their positions as platoon commanders.
The trial, led by Adj. Sr. Comr. Reeza Herasbudi, Mobile Brigade deputy head Adj. Comr. Suparmin and First Insp. Langgeng Widodo, also sentenced Brig. Jefri Irianto Yohanes to a year in prison with dismissal from his position as commander. He is also not allowed to pursue further education for a year. Second Brig. Thom Mathias Wanarina and First Pvt. Yudi Sahi were sentenced to 21 days in jail and had their education deferred for a year.
Otianus Sondegau, 15, was shot when he, together with his two friends who were allegedly intoxicated at the time, blocked a highway, asking for money from passersbys, including two members of the local police’s mobile brigade. (Brimob).
Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Rudolf Patrick Renwarin said the shots were to defend themselves as they were allegedly under the threat of arrows.
Papua representative of National Commission for Human Rights, Friets Ramandey, regretted the sentence. “It is utterly unfair, one life was gone because of the shooting but the sentence was too lenient,” he said.
Paniai customary chief John Jose Gobay said he was disappointed with the sentence. “Papuan people’s hearts have hardened like a stone. We no longer have any trust for the government,” he said. (evi)
