12 Nov 2004

PNG politician could face rape charge

3:15 pm on 12 November 2004

Papua New Guinea Police are planning to press charges against a politician who is alleged to have raped a school girl in Madang.

The Post Courier reports they will also deal with a senior police officer who reportedly tried to prevent the deportation of illegal immigrants this year.

The same senior officer was again alleged to have aided and abetted illegal horse race machine operations in Port Moresby.

Police Commissioner Sam Inguba has confirmed the investigations.

Mr Inguba says the two high profile cases prove no one was above the law.

He says despite a compensation settlement, normal police investigations will prevail and appropriate charges will be laid against the suspect because rape is a serious offence.

Mr Inguba says he has directed Deputy Commissioner and chief of police operations Gari Baki to look into the matter urgently so that appropriate charges could be laid against the politician.