Unesco head in court for misuse

 By CHARLES MOI

THE Secretary General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation appeared in the Waigani Committal Court yesterday. 

Yori Yei, 50, from Yamara village in the Liagam district of Enga, appeared before Magistrate Cosmas Bidar on charges of official corruption and misappropriation under the Criminal Code Act.

Bidar read out Yei’s charges, saying the alleged crime was committed between Oct 19, 2011 and Dec 31 last year. 

The court heard that Yei allegedly obtained K713,811.30 through corrupt means.

The money was expenses for an official trip to Paris, France, for the 36th World Unesco general conference from Oct 17 to Nov 5 in 2011.

Yei is charged with using the  K713,811.30 and dishonestly applying the money for his own use.

He was released on K2,000 bail, on condition that he should not interfere with any witnesses directly or indirectly. 

Bidar told Yei these were allegations against him at this stage and that any person charged with a criminal offence was innocent until proven guilty. 

“In our jurisdiction, a person is charged first and then we go looking for evidence,” Bidar said.