Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - The Military Court III-19 in Jayapura, Papua, has sentenced to 8-10 months in jail three soldiers who were seen on video-tape to have brutalized civilians in Puncak Jaya district in Papua.

In separate sessions the three were pronounced guilty of violating superiors` orders while carrying out their duties in Puncak Jaya.

Second Sergeant Irwan Riskiyanto of Unit 753 AVT/Nabire of the 17th Cendrawasih Military Command was sentenced to 10 months after being found guilty of commiting an act of violence against a number of Papuans in violation of his superior`s orders.

Chief judge Lt Col Adil KaroKaro said Irwan`s action ran against the soldier`s oath and TNI`s 8 obligations. His action was also considered damaging principles of life and the image of TNI before the community.

"In view of them the sentence is commensurate with the violations he has committed," he said.

For his favor the defendant is still young and had resented his action, he said.

The sentence was lighter than the prosecutor`s demand of 12 months in jail. Irwan had asked for time to think of whether he would appeal or not.

The two other TNI members meanwhile received eight and nine months in jail respectively for being proven violating their superiors` order.They are first private Thamrin Mahangiri and first private Yakson Agu.

Their sentence is also lighter that the prosecutor`s demand of 9 months for Thamrin and 10 months for Yakson.

In response to the verdicts the two also had asked for time to consider whether or not they would appeal.

The case recieved a public secrutiny after the video was shown on the YouTube.

On the video they were seen beating two Papuans believed to be involved in separatist movement.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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