Toddler Martin allowed to stay with mum in prison on humanitarian grounds

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Toddler Martin allowed to stay with mum in prison on humanitarian grounds

PORT MORESBY: Correctional Services (CS) Commissioner Stephen Pokanis says Martin was allowed to stay in Bomana Prison with his mother on humanitarian grounds.

“He was then only aged two-plus. We could not bear to separate him from his mother then,” he added.

Pokanis was commenting on the saga on Marti, now four, who was “freed” by the National Court on Friday (Jan 6, 2023) after granting K200 bail ro his parents and guardians who were arrested for alleged sorcery-related violence (SRV) in June 2020.

The news break was reported by The National:

Humanitarian reasons

January 10, 2023The NationalMain Stories

By DYLAN MURRAY and AILEEN KWARAGU
CORRECTIONAL Services (CS) Commissioner Stephen Pokanis says Martin was allowed to stay in Bomana Prison with his mother on humanitarian grounds.
“He was then only aged two-plus. We could not bear to separate himfrom his mother then,” he added.
Pokanis was commenting on the saga on Martin, now four, who was “freed” from prison by the National Court on Friday after granting K200 bail to his parents and guardians who were arrested for alleged sorcery-related violence (SRV) in June 2020.
Pokanis explained that CS held people by Warrant to Remand for detainees who were facing court proceedings, and Warrant for Commitment for prisoners.
“Holding infants, toddlers and children below three years old by a remand or convicted detainee is allowed in special circumstances where no immediate relative is willing to take care of the child,” he added.
Martin had been with his mother Saitava Steven, father Akeikei Topiro, grandfather Topiro Nanai, aunty Negevia Topiro, uncle Tobuie Topiro in prison since June 2020 awaiting a trial date.
Pokanis said such cases where children were left in the care of detainees usually depended on how fast the police could complete their investigations while the alleged perpetrators were held in custody by orders from the District Court or National Court.
“Bail and such matters are the responsibility of the lawyers representing the detainees.
“CS will only assist when the detainees request for such assistance to be facilitated by CS with appropriate authorities like the Public Solicitor and private lawyers,” he added.
Meanwhile, the parents and guardians of Martin are expected to be released from prison today.
Bomana Prison security manager Joe Yamason said they would be released after their bails were posted.
“I had received information from Kikori MP Soroi Eoe’s office that their bail (totalling K1,200) would be settled yesterday but that did not happen. We just got confirmation from Eoe’s first secretary that the issue would be sorted out today,” Yamason said.
“The five accused were granted bail on Friday, but they need to have their bail posted before they can be released.”
Attempts to get a comment from Eoe’s office were unsuccessful.
They were arrested by Kerema police in June, 2020, for suspected SRV following the death of a woman in Kikori’s Ero village in Gulf.

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