Convicted for mutiny

 By DEMAS TIEN  
THIRTEEN soldiers charged with mutiny under the Defence Act were found guilty by a court martial yesterday.
Major Edimani Benjamin, Warrant Officer Ludwig Miugle, Warrant Officer Melerot Robin, Warrant Officer Scotty Kaule, Sergeant Alex Agiru, Sergeant Amos Kaupa, Sergeant Mairi Mairi, Sergeant Joel Yapanga, Sergeant Urban Guria, Corporal Walter Waimi, Corporal Henry Worihun, Corporal Peter Perari and Private Philip Kiak were each charged with four counts of mutiny.
The court found the soldiers guilty on two counts and not guilty on two counts except Kaule, who was found guilty on only one count.
Defence Force judge Justice Panuel Mogish extended the soldiers’ bail to next Wednesday to give time to their lawyer to prepare a proper application for bail after conviction.
A date for the submission on sentence will be set when parties return to court next Wednesday.
The 13 soldiers disobeyed an order to leave Komo District in Hela between Aug 17 and 27 last year by writing a letter that contained conditions and threats of legal action against the Defence Force.
The letter was written by their commanding officer Edimani on Aug 26 last year, refusing and setting conditions against the force not to withdraw until their conditions, which include outstanding allowances, were met.
The court found that their actions were against the code of military discipline.
The court found that the soldiers, excluding Kaule, were extracted with force from Komo on Dec 28 last year after they continuously refused to obey orders.
Mogish said orders issued from the office of the commander were clear for forced removal in the event that the soldiers had refused to leave.
The State’s case of mutiny against the 13 soldiers was based on the wilful and prolonged refusal to obey lawful orders of withdrawal from Komo and return to Port Moresby.
The defence (soldiers’) case was based mostly on administrative failures of the Defence Force in terms of providing food and allowances.