Wednesday Aug 30 05:36 AEST

Men face court over Solomons riots

Tuesday Aug 29 18:20 AEST

Four men accused of planning riots in the Solomon Islands were also involved in a plot to kill the country's former prime minister and three senior ministers, a court has been told.

Alex Bartlett, a former leader of the militant group Malaita Eagle Force, has faced a Honiara court, charged with arson and helping to plan the riots that destroyed parts of the Solomon Islands capital on April 18 and 19.

Public prosecutor Mark Hobart told the Honiara Magistrates Court that five days before the riots, Bartlett met with MPs Nelson Ne'e and Charles Dausabea, and his brother, former Honiara mayor David Dausabea.

Ne'e and the Dausabea brothers are also facing riot-related charges.

advertisement
Hobart said that at the meeting, Charles Dausabea allegedly spoke about killing then acting prime minister Allan Kemakeza and three ministers in his government, if the Kemakeza administration remained in power.

The three ministers were named as Peter Boyers, Laurie Chan and Snyder Rini.

It is also alleged Charles Dausabea talked about wiping out Chinese businesses by burning and looting shops because Chinese businessmen supported Kemakeza's government.

Hobart told the court that Bartlett, Ne'e and David Dausabea supported Charles Dausabea's comments, the Solomon Star newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The prosecutor said Charles Dausabea told the group of his desire to control a new Solomon Islands government.

Charles Dausabea also told Ne'e to prepare his people for rioting and said that if he came to power, he would ensure criminal charges against Bartlett were dropped, the court was told.

Hobart said that on April 18, the day Honiara's Chinatown was looted and torched, a witness saw Bartlett walking along the street encouraging rioters.

"Their plan was political. If the prime minister of their choice was not elected, their comrades would start the riot. There's a clear connection between the meeting and the riot," Hobart told the court.

The prosecution relied on the testimony of a witness, named by local media as Charles Titia, who claimed to have attended the meeting where the alleged assassination plot was discussed.

Details of the alleged plan emerged as Hobart argued Bartlett should be remanded in custody. Magistrate Stephen Wilson agreed, saying the charges against him were serious.

Bartlett will be back in court on Wednesday for a fresh bail application.

The April riots broke out over the election of Snyder Rini as prime minister.

Rini was forced to resign after five of his coalition MPs crossed the floor to join the opposition, one of them, Manasseh Sogavare going on to be voted in as the new prime minister.

Sogavare controversially appointed jailed MPs Charles Dausabea and Ne'e as police and tourism ministers, but stripped them of the roles following widespread criticism including rebukes from the Australian and New Zealand governments.


 
IN FOCUS
Laurie OakesLaurie Oakes (Nine Network)Democrats founder Don Chipp died believing the bastards had won. Celebrity SalCelebrity SalStars steam up the Emmys red carpet and let loose at the after parties. A tale of two citiesNew Orleans a tale of two cities. (AAP)A year on from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still far from normal. Can't tame the TigerTiger Woods (Getty Images)Ken Sutcliffe on why Tiger's smarts are more lethal than his swing. Emmys: Hot or Not?Alex Perry (National Nine News)PHOTOS: Alex Perry calls the red-carpet fashion felonies. Let it snow ...A snowboarder enjoys the slopes. (Getty Images)It's snowing and our live cams will help you make the most of it. A-League tippingThe A-League's second season promises to be more exciting than ever.Win cash prizes with our A-League tipping contest, kick-off Friday. Tim LesterTim LesterHow to spin the story when your mobile dreams are crushed. Who's Who of NewsThe National Nine News presenters and reporters around the country.

Loading... please wait


ninemsn sites | News | Sport | Finance | Music | Travel | Health | Video | Weather | Top sites About ninemsn - Careers at ninemsn - Advertise - Contact us - Help Terms of use - Privacy policy - Online safety © 1997- 2006 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved