18 Jun 2011

PNG acting PM's son charged with murder

11:21 am on 18 June 2011

The police in Papua New Guinea have charged the acting Prime Minister's son, Theo Abal, with murder

The charge against Theo Abal, who was arrested on Tuesday night, follows the discovery of a dead woman in the grounds of acting prime minister Sam Abal's Port Moresby home on Monday morning.

The police commissioner Anthony Wagambie says Theo Abal's charged with one count of wilful murder.

"The woman is known as Tricia, identified by her workmates at the place she was last employed at, that's a place called Sunset Lodge."

PNG's police commissioner, Anthony Wagambie.

Police have also increased security around the acting prime minister for fear of a revenge attack.

The cultural practice of payback has a long tradition in PNG with a murder victim's clan often taking out revenge on the killer or his family.