The Papua New Guinea Government has paid part of a K3.5 million kina ransom demanded by kidnappers in Southern Highlands for the safe release of a foreign archaeologist and his two research counterpart today (Sunday 26th/02/23). This was confirmed by Prime Minister James Marape when, the trio arrived in Port Moresby after 4.30pm this afternoon. hostages arrive at Port Moresby’s Jacksons Airport They were accompanied by Police Commissioner David Manning to Port Moresby, in a Tropic Air Plane following their release. Mr Marape who met them at the airport confirmed to the media, the State paid some monies but did not disclose, the exact amount. “They were released nothing close to a K3.5 million kina as demanded or requested was paid. We’ve reached a critical stage in the operation were we could not delay any more, they had to come out alive. Engagement was possible, security and lives of the three were at risk, first things first we had to secure them out alive,” Marape said. The