Manus provincial police commander Senior Inspector David Yapu commended the joint Correctional Service and Police team and the Manus people for their swift action in the apprehension of prison escapee Joshua Kaluvia.
Kaluvia was found guilty in the wilful murder of Iranian national asylum seeker Reza Berati, at the Manus Regional Processing Centre. He escaped from the Correctional Service on Manus on March 28, where he was detained and awaiting sentence.
A combined operation by the Police and Correctional Service resulted in the apprehension of the suspect in the Manus provincial town of Lorengau last Saturday.
“When the special operations team was in place, the team worked tirelessly and on Saturday, they got a tip off that the suspect was in Lombrum. A team was sent to Lombrum and recaptured him and transported him to the police holding cell in Lorengau Town,” said Senior Inspector Yapu.
He has been charged by the police for escaping from custody and is awaiting sentence at the Lorengau Police Station in Manus.
Security arrangements have been tightened.
He will appear later today in court for sentencing.