Held in an infrequently used human rights court, the seven-week trial saw public prosecutors bring charges of “crimes against humanity” against Maj. Gen. (ret.) Isak Sattu for his alleged role in ordering the fatal shooting.

Presiding judge Sutisna Sawati said on Thursday that the defendant had been found not guilty, and was cleared of all charges.

The case relates to an incident, also referred to as Bloody Paniai, which occurred when security forces opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators during a protest in Paniai on Dec. 8, 2014. Hundreds of residents had gathered to protest against the beating of a child

Five people, including four high school students, were reportedly killed during the incident, and 21 other civilians were injured.

Isak was a liaison officer for the Paniai Military Command (Kodim) at the time of the incident.

Yones Douw, a lawyer and representative of the families of the victims, said the trial was only held to “create a good image for Indonesia”.

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