Seven Indonesian soldiers have been found guilty of murdering Papuan pro-independence leader Theys Eluay. He was strangled in a car on the way home from a dinner hosted by Indonesia's Kopassus soldiers a year-and-a-half ago. It is the first time members of the notorious Kopassus special forces have been convicted over a political killing. Today a military tribunal in Surabaya jailed Lieutennant Colonel Hartomo for three-and-a-half years. He was found by the court to have motivated his subordinates to mistreat Mr Eluay, the 64-year-old political leader, who was pushing for Papuan independence. A Kopassus Private, who claimed in court that he had only covered the victim's mouth to silence him, also received a three-and-a-half year sentence. Two other soldiers received three-year sentences and were allowed to remain in the army.
| Since they've got that desirable hands-on experience... |
Papuan pro-independence figures have described the sentences as unjust, claiming the military court process was a sham designed to hide senior figures who ordered the killing. |