10 Aug 2017

PNG Police chief to invite PM for interview

3:43 pm on 10 August 2017

PNG's Police Commissioner says he will invite prime minister Peter O'Neill to come in for an interview over fraud allegations.

PNG Police Commissioner, Gary Baki.

PNG Police Commissioner, Gary Baki. Photo: EMTV

In a statement, Gary Baki welcomed this week's National Court ruling that upheld the legality of the arrest warrant issued for Mr O'Neill in 2014.

Mr Baki, who said the ruling paved the way for police to move forward on the matter, has been urged by anti-fraud agents to serve the warrant on Mr O'Neill.

He said the option to invite the prime minister for an interview was "not a requirement by law but an established protocol the Constabulary has engaged over the years for leaders and high profile people".

He said the matter needed to be handled carefully given the volatile political background of the recent election.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on the election campaign trail in Chimbu Province.

Fresh from victory in the national election, Peter O'Neill is again under pressure over a major fraud case Photo: PMO Media

According to the commissioner everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

He cautioned that the matter needed to be handled carefully given the current volatile political background following the recent election.

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