12 Mendi Muruks Fans From Ialibu-Pangia Allege Brutality After Arrest

12 Mendi Muruks Fans From Ialibu-Pangia Allege Brutality After Port Moresby Police Arrest

National Capital District police have arrested 12 men from Kuare in Ialibu-Pangia, Southern Highlands, following an incident at a police checkpoint in Port Moresby on Sunday.

Community leader Samuel David has disputed reports surrounding the arrests, saying the men were Mendi Muruks fans who had travelled to Port Moresby to watch the Digicel Cup and ExxonMobil Grand Final.

 

The group included several public servants, among them a nursing officer, two head teachers, a high school teacher and five primary school teachers, as well as a village leader and drivers.

They reportedly left Ialibu-Pangia on Thursday and travelled through Lae before continuing towards Port Moresby along the newly constructed Lae-Port Moresby road link.

Their journey was reportedly delayed by several vehicle breakdowns, forcing them to spend nights at Kaintiba and Bereina before continuing towards the capital.

The group arrived in Port Moresby on Sunday and was travelling towards a car park when it encountered a police checkpoint near a roundabout at about 3.17pm.

The group had Southern Highlands provincial flags displayed on the vehicle, which were removed after police instructed them to do so.

A dispute allegedly developed over the movement of the vehicle after officers instructed the occupants to park before later directing the driver to reverse.

The vehicle was reportedly caught in traffic, making it difficult for the driver to immediately comply with the instructions.

The men were then ordered out of the vehicle and arrested.

Allegations have since emerged that some of the men were assaulted during the arrest and that their personal belongings were taken.

The alleged items included cash believed to be close to K10,000, mobile phones, identification cards, bank cards and other personal property.

The vehicle was also impounded.

The men were initially understood to have been arrested for loitering, but the alleged offences were later changed to obstruction and possession of dangerous weapons.

They were subsequently released on bail of K300 each, bringing the total bail amount to K3,600.

The group was also carrying five fuel containers and three bush knives, which have become part of the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

The travellers have maintained that the items were purchased for their long journey and were not intended to cause trouble.

Meanwhile, police have responded to the incident after the arrest attracted widespread attention on social media.

In a statement circulated online, police said motorists approaching roadblocks were required to comply with officers' instructions and allow vehicles to be checked.

“When you approach police road blocks you have to comply. Stop your car, come out and let the officers do the check,” the police statement said.

Police warned that reasonable force could be used if people failed to comply with lawful instructions at roadblocks.

According to police, the vehicle contained fuel containers and what they described as offensive weapons.

“This is Port Moresby. If you want to go and watch the game, prepare yourself early,” police said, urging people travelling to the city to remove items that could potentially lead to an offence.

Police also confirmed that the men had been formally charged and would have the opportunity to defend themselves in court.

The police response comes as questions continue to circulate on social media over the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the treatment of the men at the checkpoint.

The allegations of assault, theft of personal property and unlawful arrest have not been established in court and remain allegations.

The charges against the men will now be dealt with through the legal process, where evidence from both the accused and police can be tested.

The incident has occurred amid heightened security in Port Moresby as supporters travelled into the capital for the Digicel Cup and ExxonMobil Grand Final.

The men have maintained that they travelled to Port Moresby to watch the match and intended to return home afterwards.

The court process will determine the outcome of the charges laid against them.