Mutiny case

They returned before Defence Force Judge Panuel Mogish, who converted their bail to the K1000 fine that he ordered each of them to pay.

It was brought before the attention of the court today that each of the soldiers actually paid K1,500 bail early this year.

The additional K500 paid was for one of the two guarantors who would ensure they adhere to their respective bail conditions. The other guarantor was the chaplain of the barracks chapel. He paid a total of K6000, that’s K500 each for the soldiers.

 The Military court put all 12 on a two years good behavior bond after it was of the view that a further custody would not be appropriate as the Government and PNGDF failed to sustain their operation in Moro.

The court suspended all their imprisonment terms ranging from three years to a year.

It was an emotional reunion for many of the wives of the soldiers and their children who had to find other means to survive after their husbands and fathers were put off the payroll.

This was brought up by way of 11 affidavits filed in bail applications for the 11 PNG Defence Force officers who were charged for mutiny and misconduct under operational service.

The state of the holding facility was brought to the court’s attention today as one of the main grounds in the soldiers’ application seeking bail.

Commissioned lawyers to the military ranks of captain, Leslie Mamu, Edward Sasingian and Wesley Dickson moved the application for their clients before Deputy Defence Force Judge, Justice Allan David.

Commissioned lawyers to the military ranks of captain, Leslie Mamu, Edward Sasingian and Wesley Dickson moved the application for their clients, the 11 officers of the Defence Force today (Jan 9).

They moved the bail application of K500 each or an amount at the discretion of the court and pledged an amount of K300 each for two guarantors to the 11 officers. 

Deputy Defence Force Judge, Justice Allan David, after hearing the application reserved his ruling for Monday morning January 11 at 9:30.