Jayapura, Jubi – The families of victims of the murder and mutilation in Mimika Regency accept the verdict of the panel of judges of the Surabaya High Military Court III, who sentenced Maj. Inf. Helmanto Fransiskus Dakhi to life imprisonment. The verdict came as a relief to the victims’ families as previously, the prosecutor charged the defendant with only four years in prison for withholding information from his superiors.
In a trial at the Military Court III-19 Jayapura on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the panel of judges led by Col. Chk Sultan and member judges Col. Chk Agus Husin and Col. Chk Prastiti Siswayani found Dakhi guilty of committing premeditated murder.
One of the family members, Aptoro Lokbere, said he was grateful that the panel of judges had given what the family wanted by sentencing Helmanto Dakhi to life imprisonment.
“The panel of judges decided the case as we wanted. The life sentence is appropriate, given what the defendant did to our family members,” Lokbere said in Jayapura City on Tuesday evening.
Aptoro assessed that the verdict had looked at various aspects, including the psychology of the victim’s family. “On behalf of the victim’s family, I would like to thank the panel of judges who have given the just sentence,” he said.
Lawyer of the victims’ families Gustaf R Kawer said his party accepted and was satisfied with the verdict. “The facts of premeditated murder were all proven in the trial and the sentence is appropriate,” Kawer said after attending the trial on Tuesday.
Kawer assessed that the panel of judges of the Surabaya High Military Court III was brave in examining and trying the case of the murder and mutilation of four Nduga residents. He said the verdict should be an example in the general and military courts.
“With a good verdict like this, it will certainly elevate the image of the State, the Indonesian Military (TNI), as well as public confidence in the judiciary process,” Kawer said.
Helmanto Fransiskus Dakhi is one of six soldiers of the Raider 20/Ima Jaya Keramo Infantry Brigade who are defendants in the Mimika murder and mutilation case that occurred in Settlement Unit 1, Mimika Baru District, Mimika Regency on August 22, 2022.
The other five suspects are Capt. Inf Dominggus Kainama (who died on December 24, 2022 due to heart disease), First Pvt. Rahmat Amin Sese, First Pvt. Rizky Oktaf Muliawan, First Pvt. Robertus Putra Clinsman, and Chief Pvt. Pargo Rumbouw. The four victims were Arnold Lokbere, Irian Nirigi, Lemaniel Nirigi, and Atis Tini. (*)
