Komnas HAM calls for harshest possible punishment
In a statement issued today, 25 July, the Papuan branch of Komnas HAM, the National Human Rights Commission, has called
on the authorities to mete out the harshest possible punishment for the member of the army who murdered the Rev.
Ginderman Gire and wounded Gembala Pitinius in Tingginambut on 17 March 2011.
Deputy chairman of Komnas HAM, Mathius Murib, said he appreciated the decision of the Indonesian army to launch legal
proceedings against those who tortured and killed Rev Ginderman and wounded Gembala Pitinius. The latter man survived
after being tortured. in Tingginambut, Puncak Jaya district. 'We very much hope that the perpetrators will be punished
as harshly as possible according to the law so as to act as a deterrent, to ensure that such a crime doesn't happen
again.'
This was in connection with the forthcoming trial of the three army officers who had committed acts of violence against
two civilians.
As has been reported, the trial is now under way before a military tribunal of three officers: First Sergeant Torang
Sihombing, NCO Hery Purwanto and NCO Hasirun. The three are charged with using violence and torture according to
articles 351 and 103 of the Military Code for causing the death of Ginderman Gire.
The crime againt Ginderman occuurred on 17 March 2010, At the time, First Lieutenant Sudarman as commander of Post Illu
Puncak Jaya had ordered the three accused to go on patrol in Pos Illu Post, in the Mulia area in Puncak Jaya. The three
men followed a convoy of vehicles which were transporting foodstuffs. After reaching Pintu Angin Alome, one of the
drivers of the trucks reported to First Sergeant Saut Torang Sihombing that a local man named Ginderman Gire had asked
for fuel, whereupon the sergeant asked why he was asking for fuel, when another man Pitinius Kogoya also asked for fuel.
When they said nothing, Sergeant Sihombing became very angry and struck Ginderman in his chest and hit Pitinus in the
face.
After being struck, Ginderman said: 'I'm not afraid of the army and I have friends up in the mountains who are well
armed.'
The sergeant then handed the two men over to another soldier, Hery Purwanto for questioning. During the questioning, the
two men were beaten. Pitinus was able to escape and jumped into a ravine. One of the soldiers fired shots into the air
as a warning while Ginderman tried to grab a weapon from Hery Puwanto.. The officr fired his SS! V-1 hitting him in the
chest. The soldiers looked down and realised that the man they had shot was dead.
The soldiers then reported the incident to their superior and were ordered to get rid of the body. The body of Ginderman
was then loaded onto a truck and driven away. When they reached the Tingginambut bridge,they threw the body into the
river.
ENDS