24 Nov 2010

Security expected to be tight for sentencing of Solomons minister Lusibaea

11:53 am on 24 November 2010

Security is expected to be tight for the sentencing of the Solomon Islands Fisheries Minister and former militia leader Jimmy Lusibaea this morning.

Senior police officers have confirmed there are reports Mr Lusibaea's supporters are not happy with the court's decision to remand him in custody after he pleaded guilty to assault charges last week.

The offences of unlawful wounding and assaulting a police officer in execution of his duty occurred in 2000 during the ethnic tensions.

Submissions will be presented both by the prosecution and the defense counsel before Justice David Cameron delivers the sentence.

The Solomon Star paper says the sentencing is expected to attract many people including government representatives.