The Palembang District Court sentenced on Wednesday a police officer to 13 years in prison for killing a soldier.

First Brig.Wijaya was declared guilty of fatally shooting First Pvt.Heru Oktavianus, a member of 15/76 Field Artillery Battalion (Armed) Martapura, which led to an arson attack on the Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Police headquarters on March 7.

'The defendant is proven to have been derelict in his duty and failed to follow procedure in using a firearm,' said presiding judge Rozi Wahab.

He said it took only 10 seconds for the defendant to fire a second shot that hit the victim in the back and exited from his neck, killing him instantly.

Wijaya was charged under Article 338 of the Criminal Code on murder, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

According to the judge, mitigating factors included that the defendant, who is the sole earner in his family, had never committed a criminal act and that he expressed remorse for his actions.

The sentence is lighter than the 14 and a half years in prison the prosecutors demanded. Responding to the verdict, Wijaya's lawyer, Donny Valiandra, said he would consider whether to appeal.

In previous hearings, Wijaya said he fired his gun spontaneously.

Both South Sumatra Police chief Insp.Gen.Saud Usman Nasution and Sriwijaya Military Commander Maj.Gen.Nugroho Widyatomo welcomed the verdict.

'We respect the judge's decision and welcome the sentence,' said Nugroho. (fan/ebf)

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