The 11 Defence Force officers facing mutiny charges in relation to their conduct in Komo, Hela Province have filed an application to seek their release on bail.
Their lawyer from the Public Solicitors office, Garry Tine informed the Court Martial sitting today that they have filed and served notices of a bail application they wish to move.
Tine indicated that application will be moved in court tomorrow (Jan 9) when the sitting resumes.
The officers seeking 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.
Deputy Defence Force Judge, Justice Allan David is expected to hear the application at 1:30 tomorrow.
A commissioned PNG Defense Force lawyer from the Public Solicitors office is also expected in court tomorrow to move that bail application.
As per section 48 of the PNG Defence Force Act on Prosecutors and defenders, s (1) For the purpose of proceedings before the Defence Force Judge or a Defence Force Magistrate, the Commander of the Defence Force may appoint members of the Defence Force approved by the Defence Force Judge to be prosecutors or defenders.
Deputy Defence Force Judge, Justice Allan David emphasised that the Court Martial sitting process must be governed by the Defence Force Act and wanted the bail application moved by a lawyer who has been commissioned by the Commander of the Defence Force.
The 11 officers have been detained at the Military Police Facility at Murray Barracks since December 28, 2015.
(Above is a file picture of the soldiers after the court martial directions sitting on January 1, 2016.)