Assault case dropped

By JAMES GUKEN,
DWU journalism student
THE Boroko District Court has dismissed the case of a refugee charged with verbally assaulting a worker in an apartment in Port Moresby.
Gholibabaee Moshen, 34, an Iranian refugee in Papua New Guinea was taken to court by Quiny Gowep, a worker in Citi Apartments in East Boroko, for verbally assaulting and accusing her for stealing his jewellery last Sept 12.
Magistrate Garry Unjo said while Gowep had decided to withdraw her complaint the matter had already gone to court and, ultimately, was minor in nature and could have been resolved out of court.
“If you want to solve it yourself, solve it outside and do not to come and waste court’s time,” he told the complainant.
Gowep was warned by the court not to repeat the offence or he could be jailed as he was a refugee.
The complainant admitted she wanted to withdraw the charge because she was afraid of losing her job.
“I am afraid I would lose my job as he is a regular customer and my employers have said they would remove me,” he said.
Magistrate Unjo also warned Gowep’s employers, who were present, not to deny her right to her job or they would be taken to court.
Upon the complaint raised by Gowep, the defendant voluntarily went to Boroko Police Station and was formally arrested and charged on Sept 14.