Black Track Murder suspects in court
SIX men charged with offences related to the killing of three porters and the attack on trekkers on the Black Cat Track three weeks ago have appeared in court.
The six – the youngest 19 and oldest 27 years – were part of a group of men armed with machetes and guns who attacked the trekkers, including eight from Australia and New Zealand, and porters on Sept 10 between Salamaua and Wau, Morobe.
The six men were charged with three counts each of murder and 10 counts each of attempted murder.
Heavily armed policemen guarded the Lae court premises as the six were ushered into a packed courtroom before senior provincial magistrate Posain Poloh.
Poloh read them their charges and adjourned their cases to Dec 20 to give police time to complete their files.
The suspects allegedly killed two porters on the spot and wounded others before escaping with valuables. A third porter died later at the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae.
Poloh said their offence fell under the serious crime category and refused them bail.
He ordered that they be remanded in custody at the Buimo prison until their next court appearance.
He however said if they wanted bail, they should find a lawyer and apply for bail in the National Court.
Police and villagers are still searching for at least two others men who were allegedly part of the group.
The National
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