Cops to update judge
The National, Thursday 6th June 2013
A JUDGE has ordered police to furnish the court with steps they were taking to investigate the wounding of 74 men at 7-Mile last month.
Justice David Cannings told National Capital District metropolitan police commander Supt Andy Bawa to prepare an affidavit to update the court on the steps being taken to investigate the alleged wounding of the 74 men.
He also ordered lawyer from the public solicitor office to continue providing legal aid to the men.
The 74 men from Morobe province were walking home to a 6-Mile settlement on May 25 when a group of police officers arrived in vehicles and ordered them to lie on the ground before injuring them around the ankles.
Two police officers have already been charged with more still to be identified.
Bawa appeared before Cannings yesterday with Gordon police station commander Sr Insp John Tarur.
Their lawyer submitted their affidavits on the case.
Cannings told the court that he wanted to continue the proceedings as an inquiry.
The court heard that probationary Const Hillary Weni and probationary Const Steven Siskii had been charged for the alleged assault on the 74 victims.
Cannings said the police officers should be charged under the Criminal Code or the Disciplinary Code of the Police Force.
Bawa and Tarur will appear in court again on June 25.