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Papua New Guinea prime minister served with arrest warrant Papua New Guinea prime minister served with arrest warrant
(35 minutes later)
The prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill, has been served with an arrest warrant in relation to a fraud case.The prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill, has been served with an arrest warrant in relation to a fraud case.
The head of a multi-agency corruption taskforce confirmed to ABC News that the warrant had been served in relation to an alleged illegal payment of $30m by the government to a Port Moresby law firm.The head of a multi-agency corruption taskforce confirmed to ABC News that the warrant had been served in relation to an alleged illegal payment of $30m by the government to a Port Moresby law firm.
Guardian Australia understands O’Neill’s legal team attended court on Monday afternoon seeking an injunction stopping any interrogation of the prime minister, who has not attended the police station or court.Guardian Australia understands O’Neill’s legal team attended court on Monday afternoon seeking an injunction stopping any interrogation of the prime minister, who has not attended the police station or court.
Previous arrest warrants for O’Neill, as well as two senior government ministers, in relation to the same investigation, were thrown out in January of this year.Previous arrest warrants for O’Neill, as well as two senior government ministers, in relation to the same investigation, were thrown out in January of this year.
O’Neill said the warrants were the result of “rogue” police officers working at the behest of opposition leader Belden Namah. Namah denied the allegation.O’Neill said the warrants were the result of “rogue” police officers working at the behest of opposition leader Belden Namah. Namah denied the allegation.
Principal magistrate Lawrence Kangwia ruled the previous warrants were deemed invalid because the legislation they were based upon was repealed in 2000. However, he said investigators could reapply for new ones and he refused an application to dismiss the entire complaint against the men.Principal magistrate Lawrence Kangwia ruled the previous warrants were deemed invalid because the legislation they were based upon was repealed in 2000. However, he said investigators could reapply for new ones and he refused an application to dismiss the entire complaint against the men.
A letter has previously been produced which suggests O’Neill authorised the payments, but the prime minister dismissed it as a forgery. The taskforce later said the letter did not appear to be legitimate.A letter has previously been produced which suggests O’Neill authorised the payments, but the prime minister dismissed it as a forgery. The taskforce later said the letter did not appear to be legitimate.
However Fairfax media claimed on Monday that forensic analysis conducted by a private Australian firm showed the signature on the letter is indeed O’Neill’s.
The lead lawyer from the firm in question, Paul Paraka, was charged with 22 fraud-related offences by the taskforce in October last year. His case was adjourned for four months in February.The lead lawyer from the firm in question, Paul Paraka, was charged with 22 fraud-related offences by the taskforce in October last year. His case was adjourned for four months in February.
The head of the taskforce, Sam Koim, distanced it from the previous arrest warrants at the time, and said they were a matter for police. The taskforce is investigating an alleged racket involving ministers, lawyers and financial institutions, Koim has said in the past.The head of the taskforce, Sam Koim, distanced it from the previous arrest warrants at the time, and said they were a matter for police. The taskforce is investigating an alleged racket involving ministers, lawyers and financial institutions, Koim has said in the past.
The taskforce has made more than 40 arrests since its inception in 2011, including of former MPs, ministers and businessmen.The taskforce has made more than 40 arrests since its inception in 2011, including of former MPs, ministers and businessmen.
One of the ministers, the treasurer, Don Polye, was sacked by O’Neill in March, for creating instability in the parliament.One of the ministers, the treasurer, Don Polye, was sacked by O’Neill in March, for creating instability in the parliament.