PNG Police Prosecutor Thomas Eluh suspended
The head of PNG police investigations and prosecutions, Thomas Eluh says he has been suspended after calling on Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to answer questions from police fraud investigators.
He told the ABC news that he was served with a suspension notice on Saturday evening after earlier releasing a media statement in which he warned that PNG's criminal justice system was hanging in the balance.
Mr Eluh says he expected that he would be suspended after pursuing the matter against Mr O'Neill.
"I knew it was coming because I was adamant and I was upfront to make sure that the rule of law must prevail irrespective of who you are, whether you're the prime minister or the tea boy or (whatever) your status in the community."
In the media statement, Mr Eluh appealed for Mr O'Neill to voluntarily make himself available to fraud investigators to be interviewed in relation to the payment of K71 million ($AU31 million) to Paul Paraka Lawyers.
"Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and it is on that basis that we humbly request Prime Minister O'Neill to come in," the statement said.
"Our criminal justice system hangs in the balance.
"As a leader he must respect our laws and lead by example - the people of Papua New Guinea and the world are watching closely.
"Let me reassure the people of Papua New Guinea and the world that the wheels of justice have been set in motion and will not stop until Prime Minister O'Neill comes in for the interview.
He told the ABC news that he was served with a suspension notice on Saturday evening after earlier releasing a media statement in which he warned that PNG's criminal justice system was hanging in the balance.
Mr Eluh says he expected that he would be suspended after pursuing the matter against Mr O'Neill.
"I knew it was coming because I was adamant and I was upfront to make sure that the rule of law must prevail irrespective of who you are, whether you're the prime minister or the tea boy or (whatever) your status in the community."
In the media statement, Mr Eluh appealed for Mr O'Neill to voluntarily make himself available to fraud investigators to be interviewed in relation to the payment of K71 million ($AU31 million) to Paul Paraka Lawyers.
"Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and it is on that basis that we humbly request Prime Minister O'Neill to come in," the statement said.
"Our criminal justice system hangs in the balance.
"As a leader he must respect our laws and lead by example - the people of Papua New Guinea and the world are watching closely.
"Let me reassure the people of Papua New Guinea and the world that the wheels of justice have been set in motion and will not stop until Prime Minister O'Neill comes in for the interview.
ABC News
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