Relative of dead student charged with murder

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
POLICE say one of the relatives of a student who died while awaiting his graduation at the University of Technology early this year has been charged with his murder.
Central-National Capital District police commander Sylvester Kalaut said Leo Miria, 23, from Yule Island in Central, had returned home for a holiday after completing his degree programme at Unitech. He was killed while trying to stop a fight between his relatives.
Kalaut said Gustava Miria was arrested on August 17 and charged with murder.
Leo had completed his four-year bachelor’s degree in commerce programme majoring in applied economics at Unitech.
Kalaut said according to Leo’s post-mortem report, he had died from a compound scalp fracture which led to internal bleeding.
During the Unitech graduation in April, his mother went up to receive his degree.
Kalaut said more suspects were yet to be arrested.
Kalaut commended the assistance of the villagers who brought the suspect to justice and urged them to do the same for the others.
Meanwhile police in Port Moresby expect residents to observe the National Repentance Day public holiday by worshipping God.
NCD and Central police commander Sylvester Kalaut said police would be on their normal rounds.
“We do not expect any big problems as this is a very important day that requires everyone to be committed (to God),” he said.
He said police station commanders in the city would make sure that security in the city was guaranteed.