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PNG police criticise Australian review into violence and death at Manus PNG police criticise Australian review of violence and death at Manus
(34 minutes later)
Papua New Guinea police have warned that the release of an Australian review into violence at the Manus Island detention centre is hampering their investigation. Papua New Guinea police have warned that the release of an Australian review of violence at the Manus Island detention centre is hampering their investigation.
The deputy commissioner, Simon Kauba, has dismissed the independent review's findings as inconclusive. Nor could it be relied on to prosecute any criminal case, he said.The deputy commissioner, Simon Kauba, has dismissed the independent review's findings as inconclusive. Nor could it be relied on to prosecute any criminal case, he said.
“Our investigations have been frustrated from day one with a complete lack of cooperation from all involved,” Kauba said, singling out Australian government agencies, service providers, the security firm G4S and asylum seekers.“Our investigations have been frustrated from day one with a complete lack of cooperation from all involved,” Kauba said, singling out Australian government agencies, service providers, the security firm G4S and asylum seekers.
Key players had refused to give statements to police and had made it known that they preferred to talk only to Australian lawyers.Key players had refused to give statements to police and had made it known that they preferred to talk only to Australian lawyers.
Police believe two PNG workers and two expats were responsible for the death of an Iranian asylum seeker, Reza Barati, but they are yet to make any arrests or press charges.Police believe two PNG workers and two expats were responsible for the death of an Iranian asylum seeker, Reza Barati, but they are yet to make any arrests or press charges.
The review, conducted by a former head of the federal attorney-general's department, Robert Cornall, was told a PNG employee of the Salvation Army had led the brutal bashing of Barati.The review, conducted by a former head of the federal attorney-general's department, Robert Cornall, was told a PNG employee of the Salvation Army had led the brutal bashing of Barati.
Kauba said the police investigation had found that the major disturbance at the detention centre on 17 February had lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.Kauba said the police investigation had found that the major disturbance at the detention centre on 17 February had lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.
He maintained PNG police had not entered the centre before or during the unrest and were not involved in the riot.He maintained PNG police had not entered the centre before or during the unrest and were not involved in the riot.
But this contradicts evidence given to the Cornall review, and submissions made to a Senate inquiry, that the PNG police mobile squad had pushed through fences.But this contradicts evidence given to the Cornall review, and submissions made to a Senate inquiry, that the PNG police mobile squad had pushed through fences.
Kauba said police warning shots had helped subdue the situation.Kauba said police warning shots had helped subdue the situation.
PNG police are upset they have been unable to interview injured asylum seekers.PNG police are upset they have been unable to interview injured asylum seekers.
“We only learnt from media reports that they were secretly flown into Port Moresby and put up at a hotel where doctors visited and treated them,” he said.“We only learnt from media reports that they were secretly flown into Port Moresby and put up at a hotel where doctors visited and treated them,” he said.
Kauba said police had been unable to verify reports officers had shot an asylum seeker in the buttocks. The only way to confirm the claim was for the injured man to undergo appropriate tests to confirm the nature of his injuries.Kauba said police had been unable to verify reports officers had shot an asylum seeker in the buttocks. The only way to confirm the claim was for the injured man to undergo appropriate tests to confirm the nature of his injuries.
“Otherwise this whole matter stinks of a major cover-up,” he said.“Otherwise this whole matter stinks of a major cover-up,” he said.
PNG's foreign minister, Rimbink Pato, says the need for a coronial inquest would be considered after the police investigation was finalised.PNG's foreign minister, Rimbink Pato, says the need for a coronial inquest would be considered after the police investigation was finalised.
He said many of the recommendations in the Cornall review had been implemented.He said many of the recommendations in the Cornall review had been implemented.