8 Mar 2005

Concerns raised by Solomon Islands judge over police actions against logging company

5:13 pm on 8 March 2005

A High Court Judge in Solomon Islands has voiced concern about police behaviour during a recent court ruling on a dispute between an Asian logging company and the Isabel Provincial government.

The High Court Judge, Justice John Brown, ruled that the Isabel Provincial Government did not have any right to interfere with Earthmover's logging operations on Isabel.

The province had prevented loading of logs for some time with the assistance of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

But Justice Brown said he was bemused that the Royal Solomon Islands Police should follow the wishes of the province when there were no Court orders directing such action.

He said it is this abuse of process which caused such confusion and conflict in the country.