The Papua New Guinea man charged with the murder of Australian pilot Alan Mourilyan has pleaded not guilty.
Mourilyan was shot dead in Mount Hagen nearly two weeks ago shortly after piloting an Airlines PNG flight from Cairns.
Three men demanded cash from him, then one drew a pistol and shot him at close range.
Police arrested the alleged gunman, who is from Kala village near Mount Hagen, soon after the shooting.
The man, who has not been name, has been remanded in custody and according to a report in the National newspaper is to be back in court next month.
If committed, the suspect will by tried for wilful murder, a charge that carries the death penalty.
