Troops court martialed

A Court Martial was held this morning at the Waigani National Court building for the 11 soldiers who were taken out from Komo, in Southern Highlands on Monday.

The platoon including their Commanding officer Major Benjamin Edimani all appeared before Justice Panuel Mogish for directions.

A verbal application was made by the Defense Force who was assisted by the Public Prosecutors to have the 11 men transferred to Bomana.

However, Justice Mogish directed the Defense Force to formally charge the soldiers before the Court Martial can deal with a bail application which may arise and the issue of transfer.

The issue of transfer was brought up due to the current state of detainment facility at the Murray Barracks Military police holding facility.

Currently the facility is only able to hold nine officers and with the 11 soldiers being detained, space has become an issue.

The 11 men are expected to be formally charged this afternoon and the matter is expected to return to court tomorrow (Jan 1) afternoon.

The court martial was held today after the PNG Defense Force Acting Chief of Staff, Col Raymond Numa requested in writing yesterday (Dec 30) to Justice Mogish.

The soldiers now remain in military police custody.

They were removed from the newly built Komo airport after two of their comrades were killed last week Tuesday (Dec 22) by locals in Komo.

The locals were involved in a tribal fight within the vicinity of the camp.

It is alleged the two soldiers were killed after they were mistaken by the locals to be from the opposing tribe.

The platoon was deployed to Komo as per an NEC decision on June 2, 2014 for a two year operation.

Meanwhile the bodies of their two comrades are now in Port Moresby and will be accorded a state funeral.

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton