Court denies Tiensten's bail application



Jailed Pomio MP Paul Tiensten

The Supreme Court has denied jailed Pomio MP Paul Tiensten’s request to be freed on bail pending his appeal against his conviction.
Justice Sakora ruled on behalf of the three-man Supreme Court bench that the grounds on which the application was made did not individually or collectively constitute “exceptional circumstances’’ as required by the Bail Act.
This means that the prisoner will remain at Bomana correctional facility pending the outcome of his appeal against conviction over the alleged misuse of government funds. He has been sentenced to serve nine years in prison.

Meanwhile, a leader  from New Guinea Islands Region has called on the government to set free their member. Mr Camillus Tati said he supported the New Guinea Island region leaders headed by Sam Akoitai who called on the PM to step aside, adding that investigations must go ahead and that no one was above the law.
 If Prime Minister Peter O’Neill refuses to be investigated, then he should release jailed Pomio MP Paul Tiensten.
He said the PM disbanded the Task Force Sweep and so he must release Tiensten if he does not want to resign or step aside.
In regards to the jailing of the Pomio MP, Mr Tati said: "Our MP was jailed for signing a footnote to release K10 million. The country is now benefiting from the airline services."
He said the airline company was also paying taxes to the government and the money was well spent.