Somare Jr formally arrested, charged

By GABRIEL FITO
MICHAEL Somare Junior, son of sidelined prime minister Sir Michael Somare, was formally arrested and charged by Wewak police last Friday.
He was not charged earlier as reported by police because the investigation officer was still studying the case to see which charge best fits the description of the offence committed by Somare Jr.
He was charged with attempting to commit an indictable offence under section 509 (1) of the Criminal Code Act.
Provincial administrator Samson Torovi and provincial police commander Insp Charles Parinjo applauded police action and appealed to supporters of East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu to remain calm and
allow the law to take its course.
Torovi said while police were investigating this high-profile incident, people from the governor’s Yangoru-Saussia electorate must respect the rule of law and refrain from interfering with its process.
He said there were already incidents of Somare Jr’s employees, public servants and administration officers being harassed and this should stop in order to allow police to concentrate on the case, which is currently under investigation.
Torovi said people must not allow their emotions to override reason and cause them to resort to violence and appealed to them to respect the law.  
Meanwhile, Parinjo said Somare Jr’s arrest should now bring to rest all harassment and intimidation as police would not hesitate to come down hard on opportunists who capitalise on this incident to harass innocent members of the public.
He said Somare Jr was being treated like any ordinary citizen and people from Yangoru-Saussia, Angoram and the entire province should respect the law and allow it to take its course.
Somare Jr was released on a K1,000 police bail and is expected to appear before the Wewak District Court for mention this morning.
Parinjo said bail was granted because he was a good citizen in the community and could be recalled anytime when he was needed by police for an interview.