The Military Court has granted bail at an amount of K1, 500 for the 11 PNG Defence Force officers who were charged for mutiny and misconduct on an operational service under the Defence Force act.
Deputy Defence Force judge, Justice Allan David granted the 11 applicants bail today on the ground that the Military Police holding facility’s cells were unfit to continue holding the 11 men.
The decision comes today after a bail application was moved on Saturday (Jan 9).
Basing the decision on humanitarian ground, Justice Allan David was satisfied with the officer’s lawyers’ application that the cell block was inhuman and unfit for human occupation.
The 11 officers have been kept at the nine-man Military Police holding facility since Dec 28, 2015.
The officers granted bail are commanding officer Major Benjamin Edimani, Warrant Officer Ludwig Miugle, Warrant Officer Robin Melerot, Warrant Officer Scotty Kaule, Sergeant Alex Agiru, Sergeant Amos Kaupe, Sergeant Mairi Mairi, Sergeant Joel Yupanga, Sergeant Urban Guria, Corporal Walter Waimi and Corporal Henry Worihun.
Each of them will be expected to pay K1, 500 for bail and also have their guarantor pay K500 before they can be released.
They have been ordered by the court to keep the peace and maintain good behaviour while out on bail and not interfere with state witnesses.
They were also ordered to not commit any offence while on bail.
They will return to court on Monday February 1 for the substantive Court Martial hearing before Defence Force Judge, Justice Panuel Mogish.