19 Nov 2007

Amnesty granted to former Solomons militia commanders

5:19 pm on 19 November 2007

The High Court of Solomon Islands has placed a permanent stay on proceedings against four men who were prominent militants during the country's ethnic conflict.

The former militants, who include the once notorious Jimmy Rasta Lusibaea and former Cabinet Minister, Alex Bartlett, along with James Kili and Andrew Fioga.

All four had been charged with demanding with menace.

Justice Sekove Nagiolevu ruled the men's alleged crimes were committed during the time period covered by an amnesty granted in 2000 as part of the Townsville Peace Agreement .

He added that the militants returned their weapons within the given time and that their actions were not in breach of the International Human Rights Convention.