Court orders arrest of 25 more people in Madang

By DOROTHY MARK
THE National Court in Madang has issued warrants for the arrest of 25 other people implicated in the murder of seven villagers four years ago, following the imprisonment of 96 on Tuesday.
A court source said the 25 were from the same Naho Rawa local-level government in Raicoast as those already jailed.
Of the 96 jailed, Justice David Cannings imposed the death penalty on eight, and life sentences on 88.
They are currently held at the Beon Prison in Madang but may be transferred to Bomana in Port Moresby because of the nature of the sentences.
In 2014, police arrested more than 180 people from Naho Rawa over the killing of the seven villagers including two toddlers at Sakiko village near the Ramu Sugar town. Provincial police commander Chief Inspector Sylvester Kalaut led the police investigations.
Police released 68 of them because they were juveniles. The remaining 122 were each charged with seven counts of murder but were released on bail.
When they were to appear before Justice Cannings, State lawyer James Morog who was representing the villagers, managed to get only 97 who were all found guilty. The remaining 25 failed to come to court.
While awaiting sentencing, one of the 97 died and nine escaped from custody. They are still at large although Justice Cannings had already handed down their sentences.
The killings at Sakiko village happened on April 14, 2014 over sorcery-related accusations.