Police to reopen investigation into burning of aircraft in Mendi

POLICE will reopen investigation into the burning of a Dash-8 Air Niugini aircraft in Mendi, Southern Highlands, in June last year, according to commissioner Gari Baki.
This follows the Mt Hagen District Court’s dismissal of the case against the 14 men who were initially charged in relation to the incident.
Magistrate Betty Jacob said there was not enough evidence to commit them to trial.
Baki said police detectives would start collecting and compiling evidence again on the case.
He could not confirm the date when the investigation would begin.
A group of men set fire to the aircraft, the governor’s resident and the courthouse in Mendi on June 14 after the National Court in Waigani had dismissed an election petition against Governor William Powi filed by petitioner Joseph Kobol.
An investigation led by a team of detectives from Port Moresby was conducted leading to the arrest of the 14 men.
Baki said the case would be re-opened and a new investigation carried out.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Police Minister Jelta Wong had earlier stated that the investigation into the burning of the aircraft would be reopened.