Indonesia, West Papua – On 3 July 2025, the Military Court III-19 Jayapura found Navy Officer Agung Suyono guilty (see photo on top: source: Suara Papua) of murdering Mrs Kesya Irene Yola Lestaluhu at the Saoka Beach, Sorong, Papua Barat Daya Province on 12 January 2025.

The defendant was sentenced to 20 years in prison and dismissed without honors (PTDH) from military service. The verdict was confirmed by Colonel (Navy) Ajik Sismianto, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Third Fleet Command in Sorong.

The court proceedings began with the first hearing on 23 June 2025, which included the reading of the indictment and examination of witnesses. During the trial proceedings, the defendant admitted to the crimes he committed against the victim. The Military Prosecutor's Office also mandated that the defendant serve his entire sentence in a correctional facility, as mandated by applicable laws and regulations.

The 20-year prison sentence and dismissal without honors represent a significant step towards accountability in West Papua, where most human rights violations committed by military members have never been followed up with a legal process. The judicial process for this case continues, with the defendant still having the opportunity to appeal against the verdict.

Background

The case stems from the murder of Mrs Kesya Irene Yola Lestaluhu, a 20-year-old woman, who was found murdered on Saoka Beach, Sorong, on 12 January 2025. The victim's body was discovered with 32 stab wounds, highlighting the extreme brutality of the crime.

According to the investigation, the perpetrator confessed to stabbing the victim multiple times after engaging in sexual intercourse. The murder occurred after the two met at a nightclub in Sorong in the early hours of 12 January 2025.

Following the arrest, Navy Officer Agung Suyono was charged under Article 340 of the Military Criminal Code for premeditated murder, which carries the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty. A reconstruction of the crime was conducted at the Naval Base XIV Sorong on 20 January 2025, with 22 scenes reenacted to clarify every stage of the tragic incident.

Source: https://humanrightsmonitor.org/news/navy-officer-sentenced-to-20-years-for-murder-of-woman-in-sorong