Jayapura, Jubi – The case of accidental burning of scriptures by one member of TNI when he went to clean and burn garbage in a ‘corvee’ of Korem 172 / PWY, Padang Bulan Abepura, Jayapura City, May 25, began its trial in Military Court III-19 Jayapura, Monday (July 24).
In a hearing led by Chief Justice Colonel F Vanderslot accompanied by Judge Lieutenant Colonel Dwi Yudo Utomo and Major Dendi Sutiyoso, a TNI soldier who became the defendant was charged with Article 156a of the Criminal Code with a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The trial presented 19 witnesses. A total of 18 witnesses were present and one was absent.
Witness ASA when giving testimony before the panel of judges said, his partner was first saw the incident, then he called the witness and SAS was heading to the location.
He claimed to see a holy book that burned along with garbage at that time. He then conveyed it to religious leaders and religious leaders then came to the scene.
While the defendant’s legal counsel, Major Andreas Ledo said the defendant did not know that there was a holy book in the box, on July 25 the hearing continued with the agenda of witness hearing testimony.
Article 156a of the Criminal Code states that anyone who intentionally publicly exposes feelings or acts that are essentially hostile, abusive or defamatory to a religion in Indonesia with the intention to obstruct people for not embrace the religion, is sentenced to a maximum of five years. (*)
