Two former security guards have been arrested by Papua New Guinea police and charged over the murder of an Iranian asylum seeker on Manus Island in February.
Reza Berati was allegedly beaten to death by a group of guards during the February 17 riot inside the Asylum Seeker processing centre in which 60 detainees were injured.
The two suspects are Papua New Guinean and are understood to have both worked for the company G4S, which provided security at the centre.
One suspect, Joshua Kaluvia, was arrested yestereday in Kimbe, West New Britain province.
The acting Deputy Police Commissioner and Chief of Operations Jim Andrews says police intelligence showed that in the intervening months since the riot, Kaluvia fled from Manus to Lae, Chimbu and Mount Hagen before going across to Kimbe.
An asylum-seeker holds a picture of Reza Barati who died at the detention centre. Photo: AAP
Mr Andrews said police have been working closely with the Australian Immigration and Australian Federal Police to investigate Reza Berati's death.
The Police Chief says a man identified as Louie Efi from Manus province has also been arrested in recent weeks for his alleged role in the killing of the asylum seeker.
He says the two suspects will hopefully assist in the arrest of more suspects involved in the February violence.
