15 Nov 2011

PNG MP Tiensten questioned by police after return from Australia

12:58 pm on 15 November 2011

A former Papua New Guinea cabinet minister, Paul Tiensten, is now being interviewed by police in Port Moresby after flying back into the country from Cairns.

Last week, the MP announced that he would return to face a corruption investigation after fleeing to Australia two months ago.

He had been the National Planning Minister until the August parliamentary coup which removed the Sir Michael Somare administration.

He has told media he's the victim of a witch hunt.

Our correspondent, Jonathan Tannos, says Mr Tiensten was met by three truckloads of police at the arrivals' terminal.

"The Police just came in quietly and just asked him to accompany them to Boroko police station for questioning in relation to allegations made against him when he was Minister for National Planning and Monitoring."

Jonathan Tannos in Port Moresby.