Liliura facing sex-related charges

By BOURA GORUKILA
SUSPENDED Commerce and Trade secretary Andrew Liliura will face trial in the National Court to answer sex-related charges.
Waigani Committal Court magistrate Cosmas Bidar committed Liliura to the trial after he was satisfied that police prosecution had provided sufficient evidence. Liliura will appear in court on Jan 22.
Liliura, 50, from Bubusi village in Talasea, West New Britain, is facing four counts of sexual touching, three counts of sex and two counts of compel to touch.
He was the head of department at the time when he was accused of sexually harassing Megki Gaunts and two other complainants employed by the department.
He allegedly touched Gaunts’ breast without consent at the Commerce and Industry Department in Waigani on Feb 18.
He was then accused of sexually assaulting Gaunts in her office.
In her statement, Gaunts alleged that Liliura sexually harassed her on many occasions.
Bidar said the basic facts are that these were allegations of sexual nature in a workplace environment.
“All of these victims are employees of the department, mature and married women with children, and there is no reason for this court to doubt their statements,” he said.
“Some of the matters such as dates, times, accuracy and reliability of the witness statements can be properly dealt with in a trial proper where witnesses will be tested on the evidence,” he said.