16 Jul 2002

Court martial in PNG over Moem mutiny

6:01 pm on 16 July 2002

A witness at a court martial in Papua New Guinea says some of the alleged mutineers tried to kill him.

The testimony came from a intelligence officer, Major Ezekiel Wenzel, who had been flown to Wewak three days after the armouries at Moem had been stormed.

Major Wenzel says he was saved by four soldiers who are among the more than two dozen defence force members standing trial for the mutiny last March.

He says the four helped him after hooded mutineers ordered him to leave the barracks.

The soldiers involved in the rebellion demanded the resignation of the Prime Minsiter, Sir Mekere Morauta, and the PNG Defence Force Commander Brigadier General, Peter Ilau over the retrenchment of soldiers.

All twenty seven have pleaded not guilty to the charges.