Nethy Dharma Somba and M. Aziz Tunny, Jayapura/Ambon – The Jayapura District Court in Papua province sentenced separatist leader Yance Hembring, 50, to 10 years in prison for treason.
The sentence, handed down on Tuesday, was heavier than the five years demanded by prosecutors. Yance said he would consider appealing against the ruling.
Court president FX Soegiharto said on Wednesday that the panel of judges gave Yance a stiff sentence because he had been proven guilty of instigating a rebellion against the state. The defendant also voiced no remorse for his actions, he added. Soegiharto said he hoped the long sentence would deter others from participating in separatist movements.
Yance was arrested after taking part in several meetings in November last year and in January 2004 in Nimbokrang, Jayapura regency, to discuss Papua's independence. The meetings specifically discussed the method to be used to secede from the Republic of Indonesia.
Yance and his colleagues demanded an international referendum to determine the future of Papua. Yance also set up a secretariat for the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in Nimbokrang to accommodate the aspirations of Papuans and to facilitate secession from Indonesia.
Yance's trial began on March 25, with the court hearing testimonies from eight witnesses. Prosecutors presented material evidence at the first hearing, such as the Morning Star separatist flag, a computer, the OPM office sign, a rubber stamp and related documents.
Yance was arrested by Jayapura Police last January in Nimbokrang while chairing a meeting of 50 people at the OPM secretariat. Yance claimed that he was elected an OPM leader in 1999 by Papuans at a refugee camp in Papua New Guinea.
Also on Wednesday, the Ambon District Court tried 15 members of the Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) for participating in a separatist movement in Maluku province.
Prosecutors laid charges against them after the defendants joined in a flag-hoisting ceremony to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the South Maluku Republic (RMS) on April 25.
The event triggered three days of renewed violence in the provincial capital of Ambon, killing at least 41 people. Some of the dead victims were shot by unidentified gunmen.
The 15 defendants tried in the first trial were Michael Pattisinay, Jhon Markus, Reymond Tuapattinaya, Elisa Wattimena, Frans Sinmiasa, Elisa Saiya, Matheos Sinay, Fredy Van Herlin, Dominggus Patiiha, Donny Irapanussa, Nicson Tobias, Samuel Frans Ur, Fredy Akihary, Markus Tuasela and Johan B Kailuhu. They also have been charged with treason.
Wednesday's hearing, which drew many visitors, proceeded peacefully amid tight security.