Police in Papua New Guinea are preparing court files to serve on nine suspects charged in relation to the Black Cat Track killings in Morobe province last September.
Three local porters were killed in the attack, and several trekkers, including tourists from Australia and New Zealand, sustained injuries.
The men, who are remanded in custody, have been charged with murder and attempted murder - none have entered any pleas yet.
The Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Leo Lamei says all nine defendants will be served files soon, before they are due to appear in the Morobe District Court next month.
"And the magistrate will have to study the files and see if there is enough evidence to commit them to stand in the National Court, that's the highest court."
Leo Lamei says it will be up to state prosecutors to ask for the death penalty if they are found guilty.
