Murder suspect escapes

By JUNIOR UKAHA
INDONESIAN authorities have raised concern after a Papua New Guinea national who was in custody awaiting trial for murdering an Indonesian man at Wutung, West Sepik, escaped from prison last month.
Sandaun provincial police commander Snr Insp Michael Tilae said authorities in Indonesia relayed their frustration to him after Simon Solo escaped from the Vanimo Correctional Services facility on Aug 21.
Solo, 25, from Wutung, was remanded at the Vanimo CS facility for murder.
He allegedly committed the crime in March this year.
Tilae said Solo was charged with one count of willful murder after he hit the Indonesian on the head with a piece of timber, resulting in his death.
“The deceased was his business partner and they were involved in drug business,” Tilae alleged.
The motive for the killing was not known but police believe it was related to disagreements in their business deals.
“Solo is a well known marijuana dealer and has contacts in the highlands and as far as Madang,” Tilae said.
“I am disappointed over his escape as there was no explanation coming from the jail commander,” Tilae said.
Tilae said Solo was taken from the maximum security unit to the administration block when he literarily walked out of the prison.
“No shots were fired at him, no alarm was raised by the guards on duty as they did not border,” he said.