Charged with killing detainee

AN officer attached to the Aitape police command has been charged with the murder of a remandee in the police cell in July last year.
Jonathan Alai So-ou, 29, died on July 26 last year after alleged severe beating by police who then shot him several times, a report said.
He was left bleeding in the cell but later taken to hospital where he died.
A first constable, 38, from Aitape, was questioned by the police Internal Affairs Directorate officers and charged with So-ou’s murder the same afternoon.
The officer is temporarily not being named by The National after a request not to for his safety.
Internal Affairs Directorate Chief Supt Emil Alpha told The National that the officer was the prime suspect in So-ou’s death.
According to police reports, So-ou was being held in a police cell after assaulting retired public servant, Daniel Maiyu, when he was allegedly shot and killed.
Maiyu was alleged to have been having an affair with So-ou’s mother and when So-ou saw Maiyu leaving the camp where the family home was, he assaulted Maiyu.
Maiyu had to be taken to the hospital for medical attention.
On Saturday, July 25 last year, Maiyu died from the injuries he sustained from the assault.
According to West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou, who spoke about the incident, said police officers, including the first constable, returned from Vanimo and went straight to the police cell.
“They removed So-ou from the cell, using a shock absorber removed from their vehicle and their own rifles,” he said
“They allegedly assaulted So-ou, hitting him several times on the head, fired seven shots then took him back into the cell and left him there.
“Police later took him to the hospital at about 8pm but he died at around 10pm.”