Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan – A panel of judges sentenced three men responsible for the maintenance of the Kutai Kartanegara bridge to one year in jail after the span collapsed late last year, killing 22 people.

Kutai Kartanegara's infrastructure chief Yoyok Suriana, Setiono, the project's technician, and Muhammad Syahrial Fahrurrozi, of the Bukaka Teknik Utama construction company, all failed to ensure the crossing was properly maintained, the Kutai Kartanegara District Court ruled.

The Kutai Kartanegara bridge, which spanned across Mahakam River, collapsed on Nov. 26, 2011. At least 22 people died and 39 were injured in the collapse. An additional 14 people were declared missing.

The panel of judges, presided over by Ni Putu Indayani, declared the men guilty of negligence that resulted in the loss of life. The defendants were ordered to pay Rp 25,000 ($3) each in trial fees.

The sentence was lower than the one year, eight months sought by the prosecution. Yoyok accepted the verdict.

Setiono, Syahrial said they were considering filing an appeal. "The heads of the Kutai Kartanegara district and the public work agency should also be held responsible for the bridge collapse," Yoyok's and Setyono's lawyer, Hasanuddin Nasution, added. (Antara/JG)