Solomon Islands rebel, Harold Keke, has today been charged with the murder of Cabinet Minister, Father Augustine Geve.
He appeared in an open court in Honiara for the first time, where he was met with jeers from a crowd of over a thousand.
Rocks were thrown as the former militant leader was led into court compound.
Keke was already facing several charges, including attempted murder, but as Bruce Edwards reports, he was charged with eight additional charges including the murder of Fr Geve.
"the court heard that Fr Geve was invited to attend a meeting with Keke in Haliatu village on the Weather Coast to discuss Fr Geve's possible resignation from the Government."
The Public Prosecutor Mathew Taro alleged that prior to Fr Geve's arrival, Keke told the villagers he would ask them what shall we do with this man and instructed them to reply kill him, he's a conman
After asking the question of the villagers in Fr Geve's presence, and receiving the deisired reply, it was alleged that Keke spoke briefly to the Cabinet Minister, then shot him with a military style firearm.
Keke has also been charged with wrongfully concealing in confinement seven Melanesian Brothers who were later killed.
He has been remanded in custody, along with his brother Joseph Sangu, and a colleague Ronny Cawa, for a further fourteen days.
