The bullets. (Illustration)
Jayapura, Jubi – A military tribunal found two soldiers guilty of selling bullets to armed rebels and senteced them to 10 and 12 years in prison each.
Chief Sergeant Ikrom and Sergeant Major Supriadi, members of the Cenderawasih XVII military command, were also dismissed from the military.
At the hearing led by Judge Colonel Priyo Mustiko and Associate Judges Lieutenant Colonel Marine Asep Ridwan Hasim and Major Ahmad Jailanie, and Registrar Captain Iskandar, they were also charge for trial of Rp 15,000. The sentence was higher than prosecutor’s charge. Chief Sergeant Ikrom was previously charged for five years but judges charged him for ten years, while Major Sergeant Supriadi was charged for six years and sentenced for twelve years.
“In consideration of the verdict, the Chief Sergeant Ikrom is person in charge and armory key holder who reported all weapons and bullets were safe and completed. Instead of using for military exercise, he otherwise kept the bullets for himself,” said the Judge Colonel Priyo Mustiko.
He further said the Major Sergeant Supriadi was found guilty in the court after he was known as bullet seller, knew and often communicated with the buyers. In the court it was revealed as many as 25 boxes or 500 bullets were sold for Rp 450,000 per box.
Meanwhile, Registrar Captain Iskandar said both suspects were charged according to the Law No.12 1951. “After the reading of the verdict, they were given seven days to state their objection started by Thursday (18/6/2015). For three other suspects, the Court plans to reading the verdict on Thursday (17/6/2015),” said Iskandar.
Earlier, on 28 January 2015, the Papua Police and Military Joint Forces arrested five military personnel who assigned at Cenderawasih XVII Regional Military Command. They were alleged involving in bullet transaction with the armed group. The arrest was occurred at Entrop , Jayapura Selatan Sub-district, Jayapura City. They were identified as First Sergeant NHS (24 years old), First Private S (27), First Private RA (29), Sergeant Major S (39) and First Sergeant MM (46). Furthermore, the joint security forces also detained three civilians who suspected as buyers. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
