Minister of Internal Affairs, George Wells has confirmed to Daily Post that he has suspended Inspector Andrew Kalman who is charged with a variety of serious allegations of misconduct in office as reported by the Acting Commissioner of Police, Arthur Caulton.
This confirmation comes after media in the country has been reporting in the past week that the Head of the Fraud Unit of the Vanuatu Police Force had been suspended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Georges Wells.
This confirmation comes after media in the country has been reporting in the past week that the Head of the Fraud Unit of the Vanuatu Police Force had been suspended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Georges Wells.
It is alleged Inspector Kalman was interfering with police investigation into the illegal entry of the luxury yacht “Phocea” now anchored in Port Vila harbor and the activities of the owner of the yacht, Pascal Saken also known as Anh Quan Saken.
According to authorities, Kalman was also suspected of allegedly involved in Saken escaping the police net.
According to authorities, Kalman was also suspected of allegedly involved in Saken escaping the police net.
He was suspected of deliberately delaying the application for a search warrant allowing Saken time to escape flying off from Bauerfield Airport a day before police boarded and searched the yacht. Authorities within the Ministry fear Kalman’s continued engagement with the investigation into the Phocea could seriously compromise the work including collection of information and evidence for conviction of suspects in an appropriate court jurisdiction.
Other allegations against Inspector Kalman contained in the Acting Commissioner’s letter to the Minister recommending his suspension include conducting illegal dealings such as selling valuable information for money with certain people and businesses in the capitol.
Allegations were also leveled against Kalman in the letter in relation to the issue of smuggling of high powered arms as well as money laundering and breaches of laws of Vanuatu such as Immigration Act and Customs Act in connection with the Phocea case in which suspects have been arrested and detained so far.
Other allegations against Inspector Kalman contained in the Acting Commissioner’s letter to the Minister recommending his suspension include conducting illegal dealings such as selling valuable information for money with certain people and businesses in the capitol.
Allegations were also leveled against Kalman in the letter in relation to the issue of smuggling of high powered arms as well as money laundering and breaches of laws of Vanuatu such as Immigration Act and Customs Act in connection with the Phocea case in which suspects have been arrested and detained so far.
Based on the seriousness of these allegations, and in accordance with Section 70(1) of the Police Act CAP105, the Minister of Internal Affairs Georges Wells interdicted Inspector Andrew Kalman on July 27 until an investigation into his case and its determination is completed.
Section 70 (1) of the Police Act states that “The Minister (of Internal Affairs) may on recommendation of the Commissioner and at any time interdict from duty any senior police officer pending: -An inquiry under Section 67 (1) into any disciplinary offense of which he is charged.”
Meanwhile, Mr Andrew Kalman has told Daily Post yesterday that he denies all allegations leveled against him.
In relation to the reason that he was allegedly involved in assisting Anh Quan Saken escape the police, Kalman said it is not true that he assisted Saken as he does not know him.
Section 70 (1) of the Police Act states that “The Minister (of Internal Affairs) may on recommendation of the Commissioner and at any time interdict from duty any senior police officer pending: -An inquiry under Section 67 (1) into any disciplinary offense of which he is charged.”
Meanwhile, Mr Andrew Kalman has told Daily Post yesterday that he denies all allegations leveled against him.
In relation to the reason that he was allegedly involved in assisting Anh Quan Saken escape the police, Kalman said it is not true that he assisted Saken as he does not know him.
On the issue of deliberately delaying application for a search warrant, Kalman said the delay was not his part but that of the Magistrate Court. He said he along with others who are his witness who went to obtain the search warrant were delayed by the Magistrate.
Kalman said there were people who witnessed this delay by the Magistrate.
In regards to allegations of illegal dealings such as selling of valuable information for money with certain people and businesses in the capital, Kalman denies these allegations.
Kalman said there were people who witnessed this delay by the Magistrate.
In regards to allegations of illegal dealings such as selling of valuable information for money with certain people and businesses in the capital, Kalman denies these allegations.
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