07-05-2025
EXCLUSIVE Rugby league star Keven Appo on the run from shocking rape charges poses with COPS in his jungle homeland - as breaks cover after family tragedy
A rugby league star who went on the run after being charged with sexual offences is making a mockery of an extradition agreement by flaunting his new life online.
Bradford Bulls rugby league forward Keven Appo, 25, was given conditional bail in November 2024 after he was charged with rape, sexual assault of a female and two counts of assault in relation to allegations made in April 2024 in Halifax, northern England.
Less than five hours later, he boarded a flight home to Papua New Guinea where he is now enjoying his freedom with his family.
Posting family snaps on social media from his hometown of Goroka, the father-of-one has made high-profile public appearances and even posed for photos with local law enforcement.
Appo, who was born in the Eastern Highlands province, made his international debut for PNG at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.
He joined Bradford Bulls in 2023 but the Super League club terminated his contract after his arrest.
He then failed to appear at Bradford Magistrates Court on January, 6, 2025.
The court heard that Appo had handed back his house and car keys to the club manager before boarding a flight from Manchester to Dubai, where he flew on to Port Moresby.
Bradford Bulls rugby league forward Kevin Appo, 25, was given conditional bail in November 2024 after he was arrested in relation to a report made in April 2024 in the UK
Less than five hours later he had already boarded a flight home to Papua New Guinea where he is now enjoying his freedom with his wife and child
Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth country so it has an extradition agreement with the UK and, by law, he should be transported back there to face his charges.
In January, PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko called the situation an 'embarrassment' and said the government would not allow the country to become a safe haven for criminals.
'Our government will not tolerate such behaviour,' he said in a statement.
'Everybody must follow the laws of the country that they are living in, or that they're working in or that they're visiting.
'This puts embarrassment on our country as well, that this fellow Papua New Guinean is trying to deviate from the rules of law.'
But acting Police Commissioner Donald Yamasombi said there had been extradition request from UK authorities.
'Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary has not received any formal requests of extradition from the UK authorities,' he said in January.
'We will work with the UK police to ensure the suspect is made available to answer to his charges as soon as we recieve the formal MLA (mutual legal assistance) request.'
Appo is a celebrity in his home country, and has not tried to keep a low profile since his return.
He recently led the funeral service for his father and former league player Jackson Appo.
Dressed in a suit, he delivered a heartfelt speech to hundreds of mourners who lined the streets to pay their respect on April 2.
'Besides being father and so, we were best of friends. My pillar of strength I am lost without you,' Appo said.
He also made another public appearance on May, 3, posing for photos with local police after his cousin was sworn in to the local council.
Home Office guidance on extradition back to the UK reads: 'Once a requested person is available for surrender, the UKCA will be notified by the British Embassy or High Commission, or the police will be notified by Interpol.
'Officers from the National Extradition Unit will make arrangements to collect and escort the requested person back to the UK.'
After news broke that Appo was on the run, he took to social media to 'clear the air'.
'There's always two sides to a coin,' Appo wrote.
'The accusations made are false accusations/allegations based on personal gain/interest. I will not go further into details due to personal reasons, but only God knows the truth.
'I also would like to clarify that the statement made that I was SACKED/TERMINATED was incorrectly stated. I was released upon my request earlier due to other interest, not that my contract was terminated following the recent speculations.
