Kupang – Nine soldiers tried for beating to death Charles Mali, 17, a detainee at the Military Batallion 744 headquarters in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), were all sentenced to less than one year in prison.

The verdict was read by head of the panel of justice Lt. Col. Sugeng Sutrisno at the Kupang Military Court on Tuesday afternoon.

First Sgt. Agus Ariyadi was handed down 11 months and 20 days in prison, Second Sgt. I Made Dwi Arimbawa 9 months and 20 days, Chief Pvt. Usman Katmir 9 months, Chief Pvt. Lalo Ijaswadi 10 months and 20 days, First Pvt Komang Suwiriten 8 months and 20 days, First Pvt. Bambang Ariwibowo Lofa 8 months and 20 days, Second Pvt. Hendra Suryadinata 9 months and 20 days and Second Pvt. Frengkino Roylamos Goncalues 9 months in jail. Second Pvt. Eusthatekus Dena Dopo received 12 months and was to be dishonorably discharged in part for his previous involvement in another crime.

Chief judge Sugeng said the defendants had been found guilty of beating the detainee to death.