Three men have been sentenced to 48 years in jail for the torture and murder of a teacher in Eastern Highlands Province.
Police say the delivery of justice highlights the ongoing fight against sorcery-related violence in Papua New Guinea.
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The National Court handed down the 48-year sentences to the three offenders, all from Eastern Highlands Province.
Police Commissioner David Manning commended investigators and prosecutors for their role in securing the convictions, describing the crime as a disgraceful act of violence.
“I commend the commitment and professional work of investigators and prosecutors in securing convictions in connection with this disgraceful act of violence,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Commissioner Manning said the ruling sends a strong message that sorcery accusation-related violence will not be tolerated.
“The sentence handed down by the Court is appropriate and sends a clear message to all communities that there is no place in our nation for sorcery accusation-related violence,” he said.
He also warned that police are targeting not only those directly involved in such attacks but also individuals who incite violence.
“The so-called glassmen and glassmeris, who promote depravity and violence in the pursuit of greed, are very much the target of police investigators,” he said.
Commissioner Manning directed police officers nationwide to intensify efforts in arresting those responsible for sorcery-related crimes, stressing that the justice system will continue to impose severe penalties.
“The whole judicial system will continue to come down on these violent offenders—from police investigations through prosecution to the courts where significant penalties are being imposed,” he said.
He added that the government has directed the strengthening of the police force to better deal with serious crime and protect law-abiding citizens.
“This Government has directed me to build a police force that cracks down on those who perpetrate evil, while stepping up efforts to protect the good and law-abiding citizens of our nation,” he said.