Cop charged with murder of betel nut vendor

POLICE have charged a constable with murder of a betel nut vendor two weeks ago at a Port Moresby suburb.
Assistant Police Commissioner Operations Donald Yamasombi said the officer attached to the Zone Two Command was charged on Friday for the incident at Rainbow on Sept 16.
“A file is still being put together. Once it’s completed, he will be prosecuted. Investigations are still ongoing. If other constables were also involved, they will also be charged,” Yamasombi said.
Vendor Peter Pamben, from Enga, was chased by policemen from the Rainbow market to the Port Moresby National High School.
He tried to jump over the fence but was caught and allegedly beaten to death by police officers.
Eye witnesses told The National that Pamben was stuck on the sharp edge of the fence and was calling out for help when he was allegedly pulled down by the officers. His stomach was ripped open but the officers allegedly kept on kicking him.
His family and friends staged a protest outside the Boroko police station the next day and called on Met Supt Perou N’dranou to have the policemen arrested.