The Seychelles Police Commissioner Ernest Quatre has welcomed a judicial inquest into the death of the former Director of the Mauritius Tourism Academy, Harmon Chellen.

The inquest was announced by the archipelago’s Attorney General, Ronny Govinden yesterday.

“An inquest is a public matter, putting evidence collected and a case before the magistrate’s court is a way of showing transparency, allowing the truth to be heard and ensuring that justice prevails”, said Quatre in a statement issued by the Seychelles police this afternoon.

According to Quatre, the process, once completed, “should fully resolve any doubts which may have existed or were created in this matter.”

This relates to the alleged sexual assault against a female hotel employee with Chellen named as the suspect and the death of Chellen by drowning where his body was recovered floating in the sea.

The police statement issued this afternoon noted that the decision to formally hand over the completed police report to the Attorney General for consideration and possible inquest, was taken following a meeting between the Department of Police and Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport.

“It is to be noted and as established through our investigation that Mr. Chellen did leave the Port Glaud Police Station unnoticed and without permission, at around 12:10 hrs on the day of his death, with his body found floating in the sea near L’Illette at Port Glaud at around 14:50 hrs, that same day,” said Quatre in the statement.

The police has meanwhile reiterated calls for members of the public who may have information relating to the circumstances either in the reported sexual assault or the death of Chellen, to come forward.