M

ilitary prosecutors at Palembang Military Court sought prison terms ranging from 12 to 18 months for the 13 soldiers involved in the Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) clash, which resulted in an arson attack on the local police station.

One year in prison was sought for 10 soldiers, namely Chief Pvt. Yoyok Adriyanto; Chief Pvt. Sarbini Abdullah; First Pvt. Titus Purwanto; First Pvt. Anggit Yusuf Saputra; Second Pvt. Dian Catur Wijaya; Second Cpl. Hilmi Chalayo; Chief Pvt. Henri Waluyo; First Pvt. Albertus Sattu; First Pvt. Muhammad Anwar and Second Pvt. Hasren.

As for the remaining three soldiers, First Pvt. Indro Prakoso, Second Sgt. Andri Septiansyah and First Pvt. Yosrizal, prosecutors sought one-and-a-half years in prison.

'€œThe defendants are guilty of violating the Criminal Code by committing arson in a collective attack, breaking their military pledge and destroying state facilities,'€ military prosecutor Lt. Col. Inrefnis said.

Earlier in March, dozens of angry soldiers from 15/76 Field Artillery Battalion stormed the OKU Police headquarters and set fire to the station as well as 70 motorcycles and nine cars parked outside the OKU police station. The clash damaged 90 percent of the station.

Four police officers were seriously injured and a janitor died after becoming trapped in a room and succumbed to smoke inhalation.

The clash occurred after the soldiers wanted to stage a rally demanding severe punishment against traffic policeman Brig. Wijaya, who had shot and killed First Pvt. Heru Oktavianus over a personal reason.

They soldiers demanded heavy punishment to be imposed on Wijaya, however, things got out of hand, following the alleged provocation of one of the soldiers.

Sriwijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. Nugroho Widyatomo had previously said the attack did not reflect the organization'€™s policy as the conflict was ignited by a personal conflict between Pvt. Heru and Brig. Wijaya.

Wijaya himself has been tried at Palembang District Court for allegedly shooting Heru. In the first hearing in April, prosecutor A. Syahri said that Wijaya violated Article 338 and 351 of the Criminal Code with premeditated violence and murder, which carries the death sentence or a maximum of 20 years'€™ imprisonment.

According to the indictment, Wijaya and his colleague were on duty at a police post in Sukajadi village, Baturaja, on Jan. 26. At around 1 a.m. a soldier, on a motorcycle, yelled at them and called them '€œcrazy
policemen'€.

Wijaya chased the rider, identified as Heru, and shot him. The bullets hit Heru'€™s neck and hip and killed him instantly.

'€œThe defendant was charged with premeditated violence because he had time to think before he used his gun,'€ said Syahri.

Nugroho Widyatomo confirmed that the shooting was triggered by this altercation rather than by a traffic violation committed by Heru.