PNG police officers arrested for escorting MPs

2:04 pm on 25 July 2016

Five Papua New Guinea police officers have been arrested for trying to escort MPs into parliament for a major vote on Friday.

Papua New Guinea's parliament.

Papua New Guinea's parliament. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The newspaper, The National, reports the arrested officers were part of a convoy escorting the government caucus to parliament for the vote of no-confidence against prime minister Peter O'Neill.

The central police commander in the National Capital District, Sylvester Kalaut, said there were tight restrictions on access to parliament, hence the officers were denied access by a mobile unit and arrested when they tried to force their way in.

Mr Kalaut said policemen were instructed not to associate themselves with politicians but that the five officers arrested were conducting operations contrary to official orders.

They are to be charged by the police administration for disobeying orders and have been each issued a 21-day suspension.

Mr Kalaut said that according to the five officers, they were following the Works and Implementation Minister Francis Awesa.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs