By Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The Boroko District Court this afternoon adjourned a police brutality case to February 16, after the police prosecutor failed to dress appropriately.
The trial is in regard to allegations of physical assault against a police officer, which occurred on December 22, in Port Moresby last year.
For plaintiff, Tom Kapo, a 40 year old community leader, the adjournment was frustrating. This is the second time the case has been adjourned and plaintiff Kapo described it as disappointing.
On January 15, this year, the Boroko District Court heard that Kapo was slapped on his right ear and hit with an iron rod on his left leg, after he tried to prevent a group of police officers, attached to the National Capital District Foot Beat Patrol Unit, from beating up a youth at the Gordons Market on last December.
It was heard that Kapo was taken to the Gordons Police Station and charged for three counts of threatening, perverting the course of justice and obstruction of police duties.
However, the district court dropped the threatening charge.
Medical reports obtained from the Port Moresby General Hospital on January 7 this year, revealed that Kapo had sustained server pains and bleedings from his right ear and had developed painful swelling on his left leg.
It stated that Kapo suffered from a traumatic right ear drum perforation and soft tissue injury to his left leg.
It is understood the accused police officer has failed to appear in court since the mention.
The case was deferred from January 15 to today, January 28, but deferred again to February 16.
