PNG: Salvation Army worker suspect

The Salvation Army says it is aware of reports emerging this week that a former employee has again been labelled a suspect in the death of an asylum seeker at the processing centre on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island.

A former PNG police prosecutor has told media that it appears the main suspect in the killing of Reza Berati during riots at the centre in February fled Manus Island before he could be arrested.

Thomas Eluh was working on the investigation until two weeks ago and says police are close to making arrests.

The Salvation Army in a statement says it has always maintained what it describes as “disturbances” at Manus are a matter for PNG authorities only to investigate and prosecute.

It says that if the allegations against the former employee are true, The Salvation Army condemns any such behaviour and insists these criminal actions were not done with the knowledge or authority of The Salvation Army.

At the time of the incident, all Salvation Army staff, both Australian and PNG, had been formally evacuated from the Offshore Processing Centre on advice from security personnel.

The Salvation Army says it has not yet been approached by PNG authorities and remains willing to be of assistance to their investigation.