Keven Appo Flees to PNG After UK Charges

Keven Appo, a 25-year-old rugby player from Papua New Guinea, fled to his home country after being charged with rape, sexual assault, and two counts of assault in the UK, where he played for the Bradford Bulls. Appo was granted conditional bail on November 26 and left Britain the same evening, boarding a flight from Manchester to Dubai and then to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea's Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko, has stated that the government will cooperate with British authorities for Appo's extradition, although a formal request has yet to be received. The Bradford Bulls have since terminated Appo's contract, citing the charges against him. The case has drawn attention to Papua New Guinea's stance against harboring citizens who flee justice abroad. An extradition process is reportedly underway to return him to the UK to face charges.