20 high-profile cases still probed

By Rebecca Kuku
TWENTY high-profile cases are still under investigation, says Police Minister Bryan Kramer.
He told Parliament yesterday that from 40 such cases originally announced by the former police commissioner, 20 were struck off as they lacked sufficient evidence.
Kramer made the statement after Moresby North East MP John Kaupa asked for the status of the 40 cases.
Kaupa called for arrests to be made, saying that there was no two sets of laws and that if a citizen could be arrested, then why couldn’t the same be applied to the high-profile cases?
However, Kramer said it was a long process and police were still investigating those cases.
“Police has to establish reasonable grounds before arrests can be made,” he said.
“People should also understand that there is a process and they have to collect evidence and bring in witnesses.
“For some, they were politically motivated but didn’t have enough evidence. But we have done a couple of arrests over time and those cases are before the courts so I will not mention them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wewak MP Kevin Isifu also asked Kramer if the recent arrest of former prime minister, Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill, was part of the 20 high-profile cases and if his arrest had breached state of emergency laws.
Kramer said that he could not comment on cases that were before the courts but said the arrest did not breach the SOE orders.
“Police under the constitution laws have the power to make arrests and for this case, they had a warrant of arrest.
“So Constitutional laws over-rule any laws made by Parliament, including the SOE.
“So, no, the arrest did not breach the SOE order,” Kramer said.