An Australian archaeology professor has been kidnapped at gunpoint by a local gang from a village in Papua New Guinea's remote Southern Highlands.
The Queensland professor and three local university
graduates were abducted on Sunday morning, February 19, by around 20
armed 'thugs' who are demanding a ransom of 3.5 million Kina ($1.43m
AUD).
The kidnapping happened two weeks after armed
separatists in West Papua abducted a New Zealand pilot, who Papua police
now believe they have located and have sent in a team to rescue.
The professor had only returned to the tiny village of Fogoma'iu in the Mount Bosavi region early this year after previously undertaking a project to study ancient remains on the Great Papuan Plateau.
The
professor, who is in his 50s and his fellow hostages are reportedly
considered 'safe at the moment' as the PNG Government negotiates their
rescue, saying the kidnappers would be treated 'fairly' if the captives
were released unharmed.
But if not, police would 'use lethal force', PNG's Police Commissioner David Manning said in a statement.
Describing
the gunmen as 'opportunists' and the situation as 'delicate', Mr.
Manning he said 'our specialised security force personnel will use
whatever means necessary against the criminals, up to and including the
use of lethal force, in order to provide for the safety and security of
the people being held'.
He said the abductors were being
offered 'a way out' and would face court if they released the hostages,
'but failure to comply and resisting arrest could cost these criminals
their lives.'
The Australian scientist is reportedly trying to
argue down the ransom sum, according to volunteer community development
worker Sally Lloyd who said he was 'keen to have the matter resolved
obviously', The Australian reported.
Local missionaries who
had spoken to the professor by satellite phone had confirmed to the PNG
government that he and the other hostages were alive.
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