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By SHEILA LASIBORI
THE ‘unexplained’ leave granted to
convicted rapist James Yali from Correctional Service (CS) officers’
custody to nominate for the 2007 national election in order to defend
his Rai Coast Open seat will now be investigated by police.
This investigation has started three months after the CS first raised
the matter with the Madang police as the alleged actions of Yali and his
supporters’ contravened sections of the CS Act 1995.
Madang provincial police Commander Chief Inspector Tony Wagambie
(junior) confirmed yesterday that he was aware of the request by the CS
for an investigation, adding the delay had been caused due to the
security operations for the national election.
“At that time the election was on and we were really busy.
“We will be starting our investigation including other investigations
that we have put on hold due to the election operations,” Mr Wagambie
said.
In a two-page letter dated May 9, 2007, deputy CS commissioner
(operations) Martin Balthazar wrote to Mr Wagambie requesting that Yali
and his supporters be arrested and charged for “aiding and abating
escape of prisoner James Yali”.
Documents obtained by The National showed that on May 2, Yali collapsed
at the detainee compound at Beon CS institute and was rushed to the
hospital for urgent medical examination and treatment.
After this, there was further recommendations that he be admitted to the
Modilon General Hospital for further medical treatments as one side of
his body was said to be paralysed.
A report by Beon commanding officer Supt Joe Jako to commissioner stated
that on May 8, between 3pm and 4pm, Yali was removed from his hospital
bed by his relatives and supporters and was then taken to the Electoral
Commission (EC) office in Madang where he paid his nomination fees to
defend his seat.
The report of a duty officer at the time (named) stated he was under
threat and did nothing to stop Yali from leaving the hospital.
“There were quite a number of people assisting Yali to his vehicle and
drove off to the EC office together with the officer,” Mr Jako stated.
“This matter is very serious and those involved in moving detainee Yali
out must be arrested by police and charged accordingly for communicating
with a detainee and aiding him to a place not approved by the CS
Commissioner.”
The alleged incident by Yali and his supporters breached Section 113 of
the CS Act and the penalty is a jail term of two years.
 
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