1 Apr 2004

PNG police charge works minister with perjury

10:56 am on 1 April 2004

Papua New Guinea's Works Minister, Gabriel Kapris, has been charged with perjury by the police.

It concerns a declaration Mr Kapris made last October in response to an election petition filed against him by Sir Pita Lus, whom he defeated in the 2002 General Election.

In the declaration, Mr Kapris said he did not hold a rally at a certain village in Maprik but the police maintain he did.

The National newspaper reports that the date of the rally has not been disclosed.

In his petition, Sir Pita alleged that two unauthorised ballot boxes were sighted and that there was bribery and undue influence.