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Police arrest alleged riot leader
By Karen Michelmore in Honiara
22apr06

AUTHORITIES have arrested a man they allege threw the first rock at Solomon Islands' prime minister Snyder Rini in the outbreak of violence in Honiara this week.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Shane Castles said the violence-stricken capital city was calm during last night's lock-down, with eight arrests.

"A pretty quiet night last night again, which was good," Commissioner Castles said.

"Obviously the curfew is working for us we believe."

Six of the arrests were for breaches of the curfew, and a man was arrested for stealing a vehicle from the destroyed Pacific Casino Hotel during the riot which spiralled out of control.

Authorities also arrested a man they allege threw the first rock at newly elected prime minister Snyder Rini's car on Tuesday night.

"We have an individual, who we will allege was the first person who threw a rock at the prime minister's vehicle when the prime minister was trying to get into his vehicle last Tuesday at Parliament House," Commissioner Castles said.

"He was arrested last night ... by our investigation team, our taskforce's working on this.

He did not give further details and did not say if the man had any political affiliations.

"He's been charged with offences relating to the throwing of the rock, riotous behaviour, there will be a range of offences associated with it," Commissioner Castles said..

"We think that's a fairly significant arrest.

"We are going to move on today and there will be further arrests."

Authorities would also continue searching the rubble of the destroyed buildings for possible fatalities.

"Thankfully we found no deceased persons or dead bodies which is good," he said.

"We still don't have any reports of persons missing, we think that's quite encouraging as well.

"Hopefully there's no-one out there we can't account for."

Meanwhile, life in Honiara was returning to normal.

Ministers for the new cabinet were being sworn in at Government House this morning.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has arrived in the city. He will tour the devastated areas and meet with Mr Rini and members of the opposition coalition.

However, Commissioner Castles said extra troops had been brought in as there was potential for a flare-up of violence with the first sitting of parliament on Monday.

Asked if Monday could be a potential flash-point, he replied: "Obviously it has to be, given what we faced earlier in the week".

"I'd be silly to stand here and say it wouldn't be."

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