PNG police want detention centre rape suspects returned

7:13 am on 29 July 2015

The police commander on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island says he is relying on immigration authorities to help return three expats accused of a sexual assault two weeks ago.

Australian detention centre on Manus Island, PNG

Australian detention centre on Manus Island. Photo: REFUGEE ACTION COALITION / AFP

Alex N'Drasal says a local woman working at Australia's asylum seeker detention centre was raped, and the suspects, three expatriate guards, were flown out of PNG before their inquiry was finished.

Mr N'Drasal says he has asked the immigration departments of both PNG and Australia to help return the suspects to Manus Island.

"They were employees of Transfield Services, and these guys were supposed to be brought to the police for further investigations. They then decided to leave Papua New Guinea and deported to Australia."

Alex N'Drasal.

Australia's immigration department has told media there that it hasn't been notified of the alleged rape.

Meanwhile PNG's prime minister, Peter O'Neill, told EMTV news he wants an internal investigation into the matter.

EMTV News was told the 3 officers were stood down from duty and returned to Australia as part of Transfield's standard procedures.