A big call from church leaders in West Papua for harsher punishment for the Indonesian elite soldiers accused of killing and mutilating the bodies of their victims. The incident occurred late month when two mutilated bodies were discovered. The Indonesian police later arrested six men connected to the killings. Evidence collected suggested that the soldiers lured four West Papuan indigenous men into an isolated area to buy two AK47s. The Indonesian soldiers took the money from the unsuspected West Papuans, shot them execution style, and then mutilated their corpses. The bodies were dumped in a river, which were later discovered. According to UCAnews – Union of the Catholic News, the church is staking a tougher position against the killing of these innocent people, and are calling for the Indonesian authorities to give the maximum punishments. According to the article:
Church leaders in Indonesia’s Papua region have called for tough punishments for six military soldiers accused of killing and mutilating four indigenous people in the restive Christian-majority province last month.
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The church leaders made the statement after learning that the suspects would be tried in a military court. Since this matter will be tried in a military court, the chances of them receiving mild punishment pretty high.
West Papua Human Rights Center Condemns the Killing
The West Papuan Human Rights Center in Washington, D.C., condemns the killing of innocent West Papuans, and joins West Papuan church leaders in calling for harsh punishments for those killers. Since the killing was carried out outside of military installations, the trial should be carried out outside of military court. The plan to try them in a military court is highly suspect. It would not be the first time Indonesian soldiers accused of gruesome murders, tried in military courts and then received a mere slap-on the wrist. These killers should be tried in a civilian court, and let the facts take the lead.