Warders questioned over rebel escape

Warders questioned over rebel escape

JAYAPURA, Papua: The Papua provincial police are questioning nine Abepura Prison warders following the escape of Benny Wenda, a defendant in the attack on a local police station two years ago.

Jayapura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Totok Kasmiarto said the nine warders were quizzed as witnesses in connection with the jailbreak that took place on Sunday.

Totok said none of the government employees had been declared a suspect, but he blamed the warders' negligence for the escape of Benny, whose trial is under way.

Benny was charged with inciting the attack on Abepura police station in December 2000, which caused the death of two police officers and a security guard. Police shot dead three students in the incident, which also left some 200 residents seeking refuge at the Papua New Guinea town of Vanimo.

One of Benny's lawyers, Demianus Wakman of the Jayapura Legal Aid Institute, expressed concern at the jailbreak, saying it would play havoc with the legal process involving his client. The defendant is preparing his rebuttal. -- Antara