Candlelight vigil held for Reza Berati in Australia in 2014. Photo: AFP
A man charged with the murder of an Iranian asylum seeker in Papua New Guinea has escaped from prison.
Police say they have been notified by the corrections authorities that Joshua Kaluvia escaped a week ago from the Manus prison compound.
Police said he had been held there awaiting sentencing for killing Reza Barati inside the Australian-run asylum seeker detention centre two years ago, although his trial is believed to be ongoing and he is not yet have been convicted.
Senior Inspector David Yapu said he was only made aware of the escape when a National Court Judge asked to check if Kuluvia was in court for his sentence.
Two men have stood trial for the killing while two foreigners had been sought over the fatal beating.
