One of the two defendants arrested and charged for the attack of two tourists along the Kokoda Track on Jan 11 will be asking the National Court for bail next week.
The 17-year-old minor appeared at the juvenile court in Port Moresby yesterday (Mar 16).
His lawyers have filed a bail application for the defendant however, that application could not be moved at the juvenile court yesterday due to jurisdiction issues.
The jurisdiction issues relate to the charge of armed robbery that was laid against him. He was also charged for rape - or sexual penetration - and wounding.
Defendants charged with armed robbery can only seek bail at the National Court as it has the jurisdiction to allow bail and not the district courts.
He is still being remanded at Bomana despite the court issuing orders on Feb 16 for his transfer to the Hohola Juvenile Centre.
Loop PNG enquired at the Hohola Youth Centre yesterday if he has been moved but was told there has been no transfer of juveniles from Bomana into the centre since last year.
Bomana Correctional Centre commanding officer, Haraha Keko confirmed with Loop PNG today the 17-year-old defendant is still at Bomana until the juvenile centre arranges his transfer.
His co-accused and 19-year-old Poksi Jacob is also at Bomana and will be expected back in court on April 15.
Lawyers from the Public Solicitors office who are representing both defendants confirmed that Jacob was supposed to appear on Tuesday this week at Bomana but that did not happen.
This was due to the unavailability of the Central Committal Court prosecutor. All other matters also listed in the Central Committal Court have been adjourned to next month.
Both Jacob and his 17-year-old co-accused are from Efogi in the Northern Province.
It is alleged the two stole K6,000 cash and 500 pounds off British citizen Matthew Iovane while armed with a bush knife and spear.
It is also alleged the two youths with others raped or sexually penetrated American Michelle Clemens and wounded both tourists.
(Photo: Picture courtesy of TVWAN.)