The sentences were much longer than the five years sought by the prosecutor - the court extended the jail terms because the two had been ‘hostile' during the trial. Their detention and trial have already sparked protests by hundreds of Papuans which have been ruthlessly put down by police.

Thirty-four other Papuans have been detained under similar circumstances since 1998. Survival fears for the safety of the two men as torture and killings are commonplace in Papuan jails.