24 Nov 2008

PNG speaker in arson probe

2:00 pm on 24 November 2008

Papua New Guinean police will question the country's parliamentary speaker after several Port Moresby homes next door to his were burnt to the ground.

Three men have been charged with arson and are in police custody.

PNG's newspaper, The National, says police will investigate speaker Jeffery Nape after fire destroyed the houses, leaving up to 50 people homeless.

Police Inspector Sengi Laki says the victims were also threatened against reporting the crimes.

He says they are now investigating both the threats and the arson.

The National newspaper alleges Mr Nape has an ongoing land dispute with the families because he wants to extend his property.

One of the victims showed the newspaper a court order from July restraining the MP from evicting her and another neighbour from their homes.

Both allege they received threats from Mr Nape's relatives before the arson attack and both claim they told police who failed to act on their reports.