Papua rights abuse trial: Indonesian court clears retired army major of crimes against humanity

An Indonesian court on Thursday acquitted a retired military officer in the 2014 shooting death of four teenagers in Papua, quelling hopes the military would be held accountable for the accused’s abuses. forced in the unstable easternmost part of the country.

Held in a little-used human rights court, the seven-week trial saw prosecutors bring charges of “crimes against humanity” against retired army major Isak Sattu for his alleged role in ordering the fatal shooting.

Presiding judge Sutisna Sawati on Thursday said the defendant was not guilty and was cleared of all charges.

The incident relates to an incident in the Paniai district of Papuan in 2014 when security forces were accused Open fire on the crowd of hundreds of people gathered to protest the beating of a child that left 4 dead and 17 injured.

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

“Since the beginning of the trial, we have dismissed it because there is only one suspect and we know that he will be released,” he said.

Prosecutors, who allege that Isak failed in his command of duty by not stopping his troops, have called for him to be jailed for 10 years.

Isak’s lawyer, Syahrir Cakkari, said he was cleared of all charges because he was not responsible for the actions of the service members involved in the incident.

Conflict between the indigenous Papuans and the country’s security forces occasionally flare up in the remote and resource-rich province, where a protracted war war for independence The area has been under way since the area was brought under Indonesian control following a controversial 1969 vote under UN supervision.

President Joko Widodo has been particularly interested in trying to improve development and social welfare in Papua, and has promised to ensure justice for the victims of the massacre. Paniai incident.