Soldiers jailed for Aceh rapes

The men were ordered to be discharged from the Indonesian army

A military court in Indonesia has jailed three soldiers for raping four women in June during operations against separatist rebels in Aceh.

The three privates were sentenced to terms up to three-and-a-half years in jail, according to proceedings broadcast on El Shinta radio from the Aceh city of Lhokseumawe, where the trials took place.

Prosecutors said one of the privates had forced a woman to perform a sex act in front of his fellow soldiers and female villagers.

The current military offensive against the Free Aceh Movement (Gam) began on 19 May, after a five-month peace agreement between the two sides broke down.

Rebels have been fighting for an independent state in Aceh since 1976. At least 12,000 people have died in the campaign so far.

Soldiers discharged

The trial judge, Major Trias Komarah, said the men's actions had damaged the Indonesian army's image.

All three soldiers were ordered to be discharged from the military.

In an earlier trial, six soldiers were sentenced up to five months in prison for beating up civilians during the current offensive.

So far, more than 350 rebels are thought to have been killed, as well as at least 100 civilians, according to government estimates - although rebels dispute the number of casualties.

The Indonesian human rights commission says there are strong indications that civilians have been deliberately killed during the campaign - though the army denies this.

Earlier this month Indonesia's armed forces commander said the crackdown could take much longer than the six months originally predicted.