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Papua New Guinea PM still faces arrest after court rejects warrant challenge Papua New Guinea PM still faces arrest after court rejects warrant challenge
(about 2 months later)
An arrest warrant for the Papua New Guinea prime minister, Peter O’Neill, stands after the country’s supreme court rejected an application to have it stayed on Tuesday morning.An arrest warrant for the Papua New Guinea prime minister, Peter O’Neill, stands after the country’s supreme court rejected an application to have it stayed on Tuesday morning.
Justice Ero Kariko found against O’Neill’s application in a decision handed down shortly before midday, the ABC reported. The decision, delayed several times since the warrant was issued, is the latest in three weeks of dramatic events in PNG.Justice Ero Kariko found against O’Neill’s application in a decision handed down shortly before midday, the ABC reported. The decision, delayed several times since the warrant was issued, is the latest in three weeks of dramatic events in PNG.
Amid increasing calls for his resignation, O’Neill had earlier vowed to fight the warrant, and accused critics of colluding with the opposition and media.Amid increasing calls for his resignation, O’Neill had earlier vowed to fight the warrant, and accused critics of colluding with the opposition and media.
The warrant relates to a long-running corruption investigation which included allegations of illegal payments made by the government to a Port Moresby law firm to the tune of about $30m. Previous arrest warrants for O’Neill and two senior ministers were dismissed in January. O’Neill has consistently denied any allegations against him. The warrant relates to a long-running corruption investigation which included allegations of illegal payments made by the government to a Port Moresby law firm to the tune of about $30m. Previous arrest warrants for O’Neill and two senior ministers were dismissed in January. O’Neill has consistently denied any allegations against him.
O’Neill responded to the warrant by dismissing numerous government and law enforcement officials, including the assistant police commissioner who served the warrant, Papua New Guinea’s attorney general, the deputy police commissioner and the head of the anti-corruption taskforce Sweep, which was investigating the case.O’Neill responded to the warrant by dismissing numerous government and law enforcement officials, including the assistant police commissioner who served the warrant, Papua New Guinea’s attorney general, the deputy police commissioner and the head of the anti-corruption taskforce Sweep, which was investigating the case.
O’Neill’s case had been adjourned numerous times for reasons including revolving legal teams representing the police, and the arrest of the police commissioner, Geoffrey Vaki, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice – he was subsequently released without charge.O’Neill’s case had been adjourned numerous times for reasons including revolving legal teams representing the police, and the arrest of the police commissioner, Geoffrey Vaki, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice – he was subsequently released without charge.
Papua New Guinea police mobilised 1,500 officers in Port Moresby before the court decision.Papua New Guinea police mobilised 1,500 officers in Port Moresby before the court decision.
Acting metropolitan police commander N’Dranou Perou said the police operation coincided with a Melanesian cultural festival in Port Moresby, and said any misbehaviour would be met with a swift response.Acting metropolitan police commander N’Dranou Perou said the police operation coincided with a Melanesian cultural festival in Port Moresby, and said any misbehaviour would be met with a swift response.
“Whatever the court decision and anybody who is not happy with the outcome can pursue the matter in another court but not to incite people to create unnecessary problems which will only attract the law enforcement body to you,” he said.“Whatever the court decision and anybody who is not happy with the outcome can pursue the matter in another court but not to incite people to create unnecessary problems which will only attract the law enforcement body to you,” he said.
In the latest dismissal, the new attorney general, Ano Pala, has removed Jubilee Tindiwi from her role as the acting solicitor general.In the latest dismissal, the new attorney general, Ano Pala, has removed Jubilee Tindiwi from her role as the acting solicitor general.
Last week Sam Koim, the ousted head of Sweep, told Guardian Australia “the writing is on the wall” for O’Neill.Last week Sam Koim, the ousted head of Sweep, told Guardian Australia “the writing is on the wall” for O’Neill.
“What’s happening in my country is one person trying to undermine the very rule of law,” he said.“What’s happening in my country is one person trying to undermine the very rule of law,” he said.
“The rule of law is fundamental … those people in authority, they are the guardians of the rule of law, but when those people are subjected to the same rule of law they put up resistance. They do not want to submit to it, and when that happens you have anarchy. This is what our close neighbours and friends are looking at.”“The rule of law is fundamental … those people in authority, they are the guardians of the rule of law, but when those people are subjected to the same rule of law they put up resistance. They do not want to submit to it, and when that happens you have anarchy. This is what our close neighbours and friends are looking at.”
Koim predicted protests would increase, and the police force – which has lost a number of high level officers to the series of dismissals – may side against the government.Koim predicted protests would increase, and the police force – which has lost a number of high level officers to the series of dismissals – may side against the government.
There were no protests planned for Tuesday. A heavy police force presence kept a national day of action last Thursday relatively low-key.There were no protests planned for Tuesday. A heavy police force presence kept a national day of action last Thursday relatively low-key.