POLICE are investigating a sexual assault allegation which reportedly occurred during the visit of a Papua New Guinea naval ship in Honiara last week.
HMPNGS Lakekamu sailed into Honiara last Monday with a crew of about 27 for a brief stop-over to replenish its supplies.
While at Point Cruz, its crew had a friendly soccer game with their Solomon Islands counterparts at Rove Sports field.
Police Commissioner Frank Prendergast confirmed an investigation has been launched into a sexual assault allegation in relation to the PNG naval ship visit.
The Solomon Star understands the alleged victim was a local woman.
Mr Prendergast said the PNG Defence Force and the PNG High Commission in Honiara are assisting the police in their investigation.
“That matter is still under investigation and it is not appropriate I say too much more about it,” the police chief said.
Mr Prendergast added that it is a complex incident because they need to understand what has occurred, where it had occurred and depending on where it occurred there could be some jurisdictional issues that they need to look through.
The local woman was alleged to have been sexually assaulted by one of the PNG naval officers during a function organised by the PNG High Commissioner.
HMPNGS Lakekamu stopped over here after it spent six weeks away from PNG during which its crew participated in the multi-national military training code name “Exercise Southern Cross 2016” in Noumea, New Caledonia.
This was the PNG naval vessel’s first visit to Honiara.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
