Jayapura, Jubi – The Indonesian Supreme Court dismissed the appeal made by four Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers accused of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents in Mimika Regency. The court’s decision is detailed in Ruling Number 291 K / Mil / 2023 of the Indonesian Supreme Court.
The soldiers of the Raider 20/Ima Jaya Keramo Infantry Brigade, namely First Pvt. Rahmat Amin Sese, First Pvt. Risky Oktav Muliawan, First Pvt. Robertus Putra Clinsman, and Chief Pvt. Pargo Rumbouw, faced charges related to the murder and multilation of four Nduga residents on August 22, 2022. The victims were Arnold Lokbere, Irian Nirigi, Lemaniel Nirigi, and Atis Tini.
Initially tried in Military Court III-19 Jayapura along with Captain Inf Dominggus Kainama (deceased on December 24, 2022), on February 15, 2023, the court, led by Colonel Chk Rudy Dwi Prakamto, sentenced Sese and Muliawan to life imprisonment. Clinsman received a 20-year prison term, and Rumbouw received a 15-year sentence. All four are dismissed from the Army service. Despite an initial appeal rejection, they filed for cassation.
On Thursday (23/11/2023), the Head of the Planning, Information Technology, and Reporting Subdivision of Military Court III-19 Jayapura announced the rejection of the cassation appeal by the four accused soldiers.
The cassation verdict aligned with previous decisions, maintaining the initial ruling. However, the defendants still retain the option of pursuing a review should new evidence surface.
Methodius Kossay, Liaison Coordinator of the Papua Region Judicial Commission, commended the trial process at Military Court III-19 Jayapura for adhering to legal standards. Kossay urged the public to engage actively in overseeing judicial processes in Papua, emphasizing the importance of monitoring judges’ ethical conduct within the courts.
He encouraged people not to hesitate in participating and observing the Military Court proceedings, fostering transparency and accountability in Papua’s judiciary.
