Four more soldiers were arrested on Monday (October 19) and are being charged with the murder of 17 year old student, Jeremiah Yinu who succumbed to his injuries last week.
The four make it a total of eight soldiers arrested since the assault that took place near the Coronation Primary School on July 25 in Port Moresby.
Alwin Mataibe (26) from Guala village, Koroba district in the Hela Province, Gregory Tuaki (28) of Dinam village, Bogia district in Madang, David Travoha (23) from Nuknuk village in Huon Gulf, Morobe Province, and Tobias Samson (26) from Singing village, Baiyer district, Western Highlands Province, were arrested on Monday and are being detained at Bomana.
They appeared before Magistrate John Kaumi yesterday (October 20) at the Bomana District Court along with two other soldiers who were previously arrested.
Another four who had been attending their District Court hearing since August 3 were charged for attempted murder.
They are Jude Nidung (24) from Finschhafen in Morobe, David Tappe (24) of Angoram in East Sepik, Kenneth Yangun (25) of Mendi in the Southern Highlands Province and Francis Nasi (23) of Aitape in Sandaun Province.
Police prosecution officer Sandra Holland told the court yesterday that charges against two of the soldiers who were earlier charged will be withdrawn by police.
This is because police investigations revealed that David Tappe and Francis Nasi were not involved.
The four will return to court on October 28 when charges against Tappe and Nasi will be withdrawn.
As for Jude Nidung and Kenneth Yangun, the charge of attempted murder against them will be upgraded to murder.
Jude Nidung, Kenneth Yangun, Alwin Mataibe, Gregory Tuaki, David Travoha and Tobias Samson will return to court on November 26.
They are being detained at Bomana.
Meanwhile their lawyers are working on moving a bail application before the National Court to get them out of custody.
(File picture of solders outside the Waigani District Court).