Peter Alford, Jakarta – Three Indonesian soldiers have been sentenced to short prison terms over the torture of two Papuans, bringing an unsatisfactory close to another discreditable episode for the troubled territory's army.

A sergeant, Irwan Rizkiyanto, was today sentenced to a years detention for the assault – which drew international condemnation when a video was broadcast on YouTube – and privates Jackson Agu and Thamrin Mahamiri were given nine months and eight months respectively.

After several months of inaction and what appeared to be a deliberate attempt by the Indonesian army's command in Papua to confuse the case with another, less serious offence, the three soldiers were charged with the disciplinary offence of insubordination, rather than torture.

At least two other soldiers who were shown on the video, in which one Papuans genitals were burnt with a flaming stick and a knife was drawn across the others throat, were not identified or tried.

The investigation which was closely watched by Australian and US diplomats who had both told the Indonesians their governments were unhappy with the army's handling of the episode.

The Australians were embarrassed when Julia Gillard, during a visit to Jakarta in November, accepted assurances from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that the incident was being investigated actively and transparently. It emerged soon afterwards that no active investigation was under way.

Army investigators claimed they were unable to locate any evidence, though Komnas Ham, the Indonesian human rights commission provided them with testimony from the victims. The three soldiers were charged earlier this month after renewed pressure from Jakarta.