Soldiers facing murder charges

 By DEMAS TIEN

SIX soldiers are facing murder charges in relation to the death of student Jeremaiah Yinu in Port Moresby. 

The six, who appeared in court yesterday, were Kenneth Yangun, 25, from Bela village in Mendi district, Southern Highlands; Jude Nidung, 24, from Yunzaing village in Finschhafen district, Morobe; Alwin Matiabe, 26, from Guala village in Koroba district, Hela; Gregory Tuaki, 28, from Dinam village in Bogia district, Madang; David Travolta, 23, from Nuknuk village in Huon Gulf district, Morobe; and Tobias Samson, 26, from Singin village in Baiyer district, Western Highlands.

They have been remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate John Kaumi at the Bomana district court. 

Yangun and Nidung were previously charged with attempted murder in relation to the alleged assault on Yinu. 

But after Yinu died last week after being in a coma since the incident on July 25, the court withdrew the attempted murder charge and revoked their bail. 

They, and the other four, were then charged them with murder.

Police prosecutor Sandra Holland told the court that the case was a fresh matter and asked for an adjournment so that police could complete investigations. 

Kaumi remanded the six in custody and advised them to apply for bail in the National Court.  He adjourned the case to Nov 26.

It is alleged that the six soldiers caused the death of Yinu at the Coronation Primary School on July 25.