Nethy Darma Somba, Jayapura, Papua – Four Army soldiers from an infantry battalion in the Papua regency of Nabire began their trial at the Jayapura military court on Friday in connection with alleged torture against native Papuans in the strife-torn regency of Puncak Jaya.

Military prosecutors charged Second Lt. Cosmos K, Second Priv. Syaminan Lubis, Second Priv. Joko Sulistyo and Second Priv. Dwi Purwanto with defying superior's order "The defendants have defied their superior's order as the Indonesian Military has never ordered soldiers to commit acts of violence against civilians," reads the indictment.

A witness First Priv. Isak told the court three of the defendants, Syaminan, Joko and Dwi, beat and kicked the local people during an interrogation on March 17, 2010 aimed at locating the whereabouts of weapons belonging to separatist rebel Davis Tabuni, a member of a rebel group under Goliath Tabuni.

Isak said the soldiers had gathered 30 people, women and men, at their base in Gurage village in Tingginambut district during an operation to crack down on the rebels, who had several times ambushed patrolling soldiers and police officers. "The defendants beat a local resident in his leg, back and head using a helmet and their bare fists," Isak said.

Isak was ordered by Cosmos to record the interrogation process using a mobile phone for about 15 minutes. The video recording was posted on YouTube on Oct. 17, which then led the soldiers to the military tribunal.

When asked by presiding judge Adil, Isak said the act of violence was spontaneous as his commander Frist Lt. Sudirman had warned against the use of violence. In his testimony Syaminan said Cosmos condoned the use of violence as long as it did not hurt the local people. The presiding judge adjourned the trial until Monday.