Men in court over burning of ballot papers

National

A Lae Committal Court has on Friday rejected the bail application for five men charged with causing wilful damage to ballot boxes and papers in Markham and adjourned their case to Aug 1.
Presiding magistrate Lorna Sani ordered the five defendants Paul Kasi, 52, from Markham’s Intuap village, Morobe; James Samuel, 37, from Obura Wonenara’s Andara village in Eastern Highlands; Gideon Bampung, 23, Joseph Bampung, 25, and Philemon Rueben Iria, 23, from Markham’s Bagaboang village in Morobe to be remanded at Buimo and appear in court on Aug 1.
Police prosecution initially rejected the bail application filed by a public solicitor for the defendants.
Police prosecutor Sgt Vincent Suakai asked the court to reject the bail on the grounds that the offences against the defendants were very serious in nature and because they allegedly deprived the people of Markham.
“Their lives are also at risk and we cannot accept bail,” advised Suakai.
The court affirmed the decision, refused the bail application and advised the defendants to apply for bail in the National Court.
“Your bail application is refused in this Committal Court, I advised you to apply for bail in the National Court, for now, you all will remain in custody and wait for your next appearance in court,” said Sani.
The court noted that on July 16 around 12pm to 5pm, the five defendants we alleged to be involved in the damaging of ballot boxes and ballot papers at Mutzing station, Markham.
It was alleged the defendants broke open a 20 foot container containing ballot boxes and papers and set fire to it.
They were also alleged to have damaged a tractor, a vehicle and machineries valued in thousands of kina belonging to Markham District Services.