Student dies amid court case and assault probes

The body of the late Jeremiah Yinu, a victim of military bashing, will be moved to the funeral home later this morning.

The student was bashed during a soldier rampage in July this year and has since been in a coma.

Thomas Yinu, his father, tells PNG Loop that while his condition was stable, his 17 year old son developed complications earlier this week which resulted in him dying yesterday afternoon.

PNGDF Commander Gilbert Toropo was not available for comments as he is out of the country, however the PNGDF Chief of Staff Colonel Mark Goina is expected to make a statement soon over the incident.

To date the PNGDF has come out strongly with regards to this case and this resulted  in the handing over and charging of four soldiers in relation to the bashing.

The four men were charged for attempted murder but with the death of the student, CID officers say that the charges will most likely be upgraded to wilful murder.

PNG Loop understands from indications from the Murray Barracks office that the investigations are far from over as more soldiers stand to be charged over their involvement in the case.

In a recent interview, PNGDF Commander Gilbert Toropo outlined that the initial report pinpointed four of the main group of soldiers with identities of others that would need to be followed up on.

Meantime, the soldier who gave his uniform to his dependent to wear which sparked the initial fight has also been identified and will be facing charges under the military code of conduct, according to Toropo.

Thomas Yinu says that despite all the ongoing investigations and court case his main priority now will be to lay his son to rest.

Author: 
Julianna Waeda