Councillor linked to sorcery violence freed

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Image for illustration only. For image info, go to https://devpolicy.org/worldview-pluralism-part-1-sorcery-accusations-20210326-1/

Councillor linked to sorcery violence freed

PORT MORESBY: The councillor in Western who was arrested for allegedly ordering the killing of suspected sorcerers has been freed.

Daru police station commander Insp Soiwa Ricker said police found no evidence to back the charge of attempted murder.

He said the councillor was arrested for allegedly provoking the murder of a policeman in Eniyawa village in South Fly.

Insp Ricker said the councillor had only made a general comment at a meeting that if they had evidence then they could kill sorcerers.

Details of the news break were published by The National:



Councillor freed over no evidence

October 7, 2021The NationalNational

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
A COUNCILLOR in Western accused of provoking villagers to kill a suspected sorcerer was released from custody after police found no evidence to back the charge of attempted murder, Daru Police Station Comm Insp Soiwa Ricker says.
Insp Ricker said yesterday that the councillor was arrested for allegedly provoking two suspects who tried to kill a man at Eniyawa village in South Fly.
He said the seriously injured victim was recovering at the Suki health centre after he was attacked with a knife on Sept 25.
Insp Ricker said villagers had raised concern about suspected sorcery-related killings during a community meeting at the village.
“The councillor made a general comment that if they had evidence then they could kill sorcerers,” he said. “However, there was a mysterious death of a village auxiliary policeman in July.
“When the deceased’s relatives heard of the councillor’s remarks, they planned to kill the 37-year-old man whom they suspected of practising sorcery (and causing) the policeman’s death.”
Insp Ricker said the two suspects, one of whom was the 22-year-old son of the deceased, were prompted by the councillor’s remarks and called out to the victim who lived across the Suki River to meet them.
“The victim then paddled his canoe across to meet them.
“The son began to question him over the death of his father and stabbed him in the back with a knife and the other suspect hit him on the head with a rod.”
Insp Ricker said other villagers quickly intervened and chased away the two attackers.
The suspects, including the councillor were arrested and detained.
The two suspects have been charged with attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm.
Both will appear before the Daru District Court for committal proceedings.

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