Lhokseumawe – A military tribunal on Thursday found three low-ranking soldiers guilty of beating villagers unconscious during the military's offensive against separatist rebels in Aceh province, and sentenced them to short jail terms. They are the second batch of soldiers found guilty of the same crime during an operation in Lawang village on May 27.

First Sgt. Haryono and 2nd Pvt. Sudaryanto were both sentenced to four months and 20 days in jail, and 1st Pvt. Alfian to two months and 20 days. "All three have been found guilty of committing battery jointly," said military judge Maj. Hulwani Thursday. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 months in jail.

Human rights activists also have accused troops of executing several suspected rebels since the government launched its offensive and declared martial law in Aceh on May 19 after peace talks collapsed. The military has denied the allegations.

On Monday, three other soldiers were found guilty of assaulting villagers in Lawang and sentenced to four months and 20 days injail. The platoon commander, a lieutenant, is also expected to face charges of assault.

Prosecutors said the soldiers who were found guilty Thursday beat three villagers unconscious after they denied knowing the whereabouts of Free Aceh Movement rebels.

Villagers have told The Associated Press that the troops also shot and killed a 35-year-old Lawang farmer who had no links to the insurgents. Soldiers also torched several houses in the area. But the military said the man was a rebel who was shot while trying to escape and there are no plans to file criminal charges in the incident.

The rebels have been fighting for 27 years for independence of the oil- and gas-rich province. About 12,000 people have been killed in the conflict.