Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has stayed a Leadership Tribunal's decision to convict the MP Boka Kondra, and a recommendation to have him dismissed from office.
Boka Kondra. Photo: PNG Parliament website
Mr Kondra was dismissed from office last year after a leadership tribunal found him guilty on six counts of misconduct in office for misappropriating district funds to the tune of more than US$72,000.
He then appealed to the National Court, which upheld the tribunal's ruling.
But the Supreme Court has ruled that with a general election due in under a year, it would not be feasible to hold a by-election if Kondra were to be dismissed.
The newspaper, The National, reports the five-page ruling saying Kondra will remain suspended while he appeals against his conviction.
