Police release men charged with minor offences

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE have confirmed that of the 101 men remanded at the Daru police station cell in South Fly, 44 charged with minor offences have been released on bail.
Provincial police commander Snr Insp Ewai Segi told The National that of the 57 remaining, 31 were remanded by police in Daru and 26 inmates from Daru prison.
“The 31 remanded includes 10 men charged with one count each of kidnapping six expatriates at a logging camp in Middle Fly,” he said.
“Six were released after a ransom was paid by the relatives of the six expats when negotiations between police and the kidnappers did not come to a conclusion.” He said the 44 granted bail were facing charges such as assault, domestic violence, drunk and disorderly, fighting in public places “and other minor offences”.
“The 26 prisoners from the Daru prison have been in the cell since last February after the prison was condemned by health authorities because of sanitation issues,” he said.
Snr Insp Segi confirmed with The National that a magistrate has arrived into the province.
“I will meet with the magistrate (to confirm) the court circuit,” he said.
The 26 prisoners brought over from the Daru prison had been convicted with various crimes including murder, rape, causing grievous bodily harm.