The suspended police commander of Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay province, Joseph Morehari, has blamed political interference for his situation.
In a handing-over ceremony to his successor, George Bayagau, Mr Morehari said he believed his suspension was motivated by the confiscation last year of a vessel owned a local MP, Gordon Wesley.
PNG Loop reports him as telling a packed hall that it was a sad day because the rule of law had been thrown out, and that, while honouring orders for him to stand down, he would work from the sideline.
In an unusual turn, Mr Morehari then told Mr Bayagau that he should have Mr Wesley arrested because there is significant evidence against him, although he did not specify.
