Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates - PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga (19 July 2014)

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[Facilitator's Note: With thanks to Tony Prescott, Annika Wythes, Isikeli Valemei, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for sharing these updates.]

Police scuffle over Pala arrest warrant. There was a near confrontation by two factions of the Papua New Guinea police force at the National and Supreme Court precincts last Friday. http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/papua-new-guinea/5688/police-scuffle-over-pala-arrest-warrant/

Currency smuggling trend. Currency smuggling has been identified by the Financial Intelligence Unit as an emerging money laundering trend in Fiji. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=274286

Millions in suspicious transactions. Thetotal value of suspicious transactions reports (STRs) to the Financial Intelligence Unit increased from $20million in 2012 to just under $30m in 2013. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=274284

‘Good man’ jailed for theft. A former Accounts Clerk at the Airport Authority, described in many character references as a good man, was yesterday jailed for the misappropriation of over $40,000. http://www.samoaobserver.ws/other/legal/10790-good-man-jailed-for-theft


Tonga's up-hill struggle with corruption.The Tongan Government appears to be struggling to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism. http://matangitonga.to/2014/07/16/tongas-hill-struggle-corruption

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