Asylum seeker

Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun refused to board a flight from Bangkok to Kuwait on Monday and barricaded herself into her airport hotel room.

She said she feared her family would kill her for renouncing Islam.

She is now staying at a Thai government shelter while the UN refugee agency assesses her case.

Her father and brother have arrived but she is refusing to see them.

Renunciation of Islam, known as apostasy, is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.

Thai immigration officials had initially said she should return to Kuwait.

The asylum seeker issue continues even after the Supreme Court in April 2016 declared the Australian and PNG governments’ detention centre unlawful and unconstitutional.

The discussions will highlight the social issues in the country that the Catholic Church is concerned about.

Provincial police commander, Senior Inspector David Yapu, said the police have conducted awareness for the asylum seekers to respect the locals and the laws of PNG.

“But it seems to have fallen on deaf ears and social problems is now an issue with local police and the asylum seekers.”

The defendant, Rajeev Rajendran returned to court on Wednesday before Magistrate Josephine Nidue with an interpreter where his charge was read and explained to him in court.

His case was later adjourned to Feb 27 while police continue their investigations towards compiling the hand up brief to present to court.

Rajendran also paid bail of K2,000 and was released from police custody with conditions set by the Court.

He was arrested over the weekend and charged with sexual penetration.

Asylum seeker on rape charge

An asylum seeker in Manus is expected to appear at the Lorengau District Court today (Monday) on allegations he raped a Grade 9 student last week.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/asylum-seeker-rape-charge-50678

Police internal affairs need to be vigilant: Turi

Discipline of police officers needs to be swiftly carried out to serve as an example to others.

Acting provincial police commander senior inspector David Yapu issued the warning following the arrest of a Sri Lanka Asylum seeker over the weekend over rape allegations.

PPC Yapu said his officers will not hesitate to deal those foreigners who come into conflict with the laws of the country.

He also expressed sentiments to the family of the Grade 9 victim for their courage in reporting the matter to police.

The Grade 9 student was allegedly raped last Tuesday at the Harbourside Hotel in Lorengau.

Acting Provincial Police Commander Senior Inspector David Yapu issued the appeal on Monday after another Asylum Seeker was arrested and charged in Lorengau for being in possession of Marijuana.

He said police will be hard on them (foreigners) if they continue to break the laws of the country.

The man from Iraq, 25-year-old Ahmad Jasham was picked up by police at the boat shed at Lorengau town.

Jasham is expected to appear in court this week.

This is the seventh arrest involving those processed at the Regional Processing Center since the New Year.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has confirmed following a discussion with the Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull.

They discussed issues relating to the Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the Manus Regional Processing Centre and the action that is required to comply with that decision.

O’Neill said in a statement that from this discussion, they have agreed that a delegation of officials from the Australian Government will visit Port Moresby next week to meet with our officials.