24 May 2004

Outcome of investigation into alleged rape of RAMSI member in Solomons should be revealed this week

7:46 pm on 24 May 2004

Solomon Islands police are expected this week to conclude their investigations into the alleged rape of an Australian woman soldier serving with the international assistance mission or RAMSI.

The allegation came to light more than a month ago and since then a team of up to 19 police have been working on the inquiry.

Last month the Deputy Police Commissioner, Ben McDevitt, said there were considerable inconsistencies in the woman's claim that she had been raped.

He said at that stage police had still to determine whether a criminal offence was committed.

On a visit to Honiara earlier this month, the Australian Justice Minister, Chris Ellison, said a thorough investigation was being undertaken and that the allegations were being taken very seriously.

A RAMSI official says police should finish their assessment of the forensic evidence later this week.