There is not enough evidence before the court to show that a 41-year-old Pangia man threatened to kill Prime Minister Peter O’Neill following an alleged post on Facebook.
Senior Committal Court magistrate Cosmas Bidar found insufficient evidence against Michael Ambros of Yungili village, Pangia, Southern Highlands Province, dismissing the case against him and the information charging him.
In dismissing the case, Magistrate Bidar said the Prime Minister is the leader of the country and is subject to public scrutiny, adding people have the right to freedom of speech and expressing their views.
On the evidence, Magistrate Bidar said PM O’Neill’s statement before the court did not indicate that Ambros threatened to kill him. His statement only shows that Ambros wrote demeaning comments against him using his Facebook account.
Ambros was apprehended in Port Moresby on May 9 after he allegedly posted threats against O’Neill using his Facebook account on the Pangia District Development page.
He allegedly posted the comments between April 1 and May 8 this year. He was apprehended at Morata No.2 on May 9 and taken to Boroko Police Station where he was questioned.