PNG defence force called in after investigators blocked

Papua New Guinea's Defence Force has been placed on alert to help arrest people who tried to prevent investigations into alleged misuse of public funds in PNG's East Sepik province.

A plane carrying investigators with a government appointed Investigation Task Force Sweep Team was prevented from disembarking and told to return to Port Moresby on Wednesday.

They were sent to investigate allegations of misuse of public funds under the court-reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and the East Sepik provincial governments, and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu. 

Some residents and political supporters converged at the Wewak airport and told the Air Niugini management to return the investigators and police back to Port Moresby. PNG's Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has condemned the actions and called them as acts of terrorism.

"This is an act of criminals," he said. He says soldiers with the Moem Baracks in Wewak will be called in to arrest those people who prevented the investigators and stormed the Wewak airport tarmac and endangered the safety of the plane and passengers. "They have to be dealt with," he said.

"They're supposed to respect the laws of this country and allow investigators to go." Supporters of Sir Michael Somare claim the investigation team's mission was politically motivated.

ABC