Port Moresby (The National): FIVE police officers have been charged with murder over the fatal bashing of a young man in Manus last month, police said.
The officers, who were sent to Manus as part of a security team for the detention centre on the island, were expected to appear in Manus district court today.
New Guinea Islands acting divisional commander Supt Anthon Billie said yesterday that the five are held at the police cells in Lorengau.
He went to Manus last week to officially lay the charges on the five officers.
The local man died after the beating last month.
He was the son of a public servant.
Police said the man was behaving in a disorderly manner and was taken to the Lorengau police station where he was assaulted. He died while being rushed to the Lorengau Hospital.
His death resulted in a public outcry because of the involvement of police officers.
Billie said the mobile squad members currently in Manus to provide security at the detention centre were still waiting to be replaced.