By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The 13 Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers who were changed for mutiny, will be remanded at the Bomana Prison until their case returns to court next week.
This follows the refusal of their application to extend bail after conviction by the Bomana District Court today.
Presiding Judge, Justice Panuel Mogish, told the 13 convicted soldiers that they would be remanded at Bomana due to the country lacking a sufficient military prison.
The 13 were found guilty on two of the four counts of mutiny on June 1, but were out bail until this order was handed down today.
They submitted through their affidavits for bail after convictions to be extended on four grounds.
These grounds include their backgroud and the number of years they have served in the PNGDF, the welfare of their families, pre-sentencing and other reports, and the lack of imprisonment facilities in the country.
Justice Mogish said the welfare of their families was not a good ground to apply for the extension of their bail.
“The applicants are concerned about the welfares of their families. All have acknowledged the difficulties they now face in looking after them especially at this time when they have been put off the pay roll. These are genuine mainly accused and prisoners’ are confronted with upon remand.
“To peruse the court to exercise its discretion, the applicant must show the problems his family will encounter is more than just an ordinary problem,” Justice Mogish said.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jWY3VF2ge1c%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
