Laken Lepatu Aigilo

Following their arrest on June 23, Brendan Kisa, Elizah Nere, Divimal Marus and Frank Luwai all returned to court where the charges against them were read out. They were arraigned today after their lawyer, Laken Lepatu Aigilo, succeeded in obtaining bail at K500 from the District Court on June 29.

Speaking to the media outside the Waigani Court house, Laken Lepatu Aigilo said: “Let me put to the nation that this does not mean that the fight is over. We will look into other means if it means to draft separate proceedings, we will do so. We will look into how we can seek justice.”

He made these statements after the National Court refused orders from a human rights case that was moved this morning.

Justice Derek Hartshorn, in his decision this afternoon, refused the orders sought in the students’ human rights application, saying he was not satisfied there were serious questions to be tried.

He said police cannot be prevented from performing their constitutional function or be stopped by the Court from conducting investigations.

Justice Hartshorn found the balance of convenience did not favour the students, adding they can still sue damages from police.