The President of the Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, Joseph Kabui, says there may have been foul play in the death of the rebel leader Francis Ona.
Mr Ona died suddenly two weeks ago, reportedly from malaria and possibly typhoid, and was buried without an autopsy being done.
Mr Kabui says there are rumours Mr Ona did not die naturally and the Government has reports an Australian and an Englishman, who have been illegally on Bougainville since October last year, are involved.
He says this duo stopped the family from releasing Mr Ona's body so doctors in Buka could complete an autopsy.
"Despite the fact that the immediate family of late Francis Ona and other extended family members were willing to let the body be flown up to Buka - this is one indication."
