Ayapura – The Jayapura District Court on Thursday sentenced two of seven remaining defendants to five years in prison for their part in a fatal clash with police on March 16 in Abepura.

The clash took place during a protest against mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia. Four police officers and a member of the Air Force died in the violence.

In its verdict, the panel of judges hearing the case, presided over by Moris Ginting, said Muhammad Khaitan and Sedrik Jitmau were guilty of violating Article 214, Paragraph 1, of the Criminal Code on disobeying orders from security officers.

The five-year sentences given the pair matched the recommendation by prosecutors.

Sedrik, who is in his third year at Filadelpia High School in Sentani, wore his gray-and-white school uniform in court.

David Viktor Sitorus, one of the defendants' lawyers, said they would appeal the sentences. He said the judges disregarded much of the evidence presented by the defense. He pointed out that not a single witness saw Sedrik hurl stones at the officers.

Five more defendants in the case are still being tried. Verdicts for three of the defendants are expected this Friday. Sixteen other defendants in the case were earlier sentenced to between five and 15 years in prison.