12 Dec 2003

Solomons police charge BRA commander over four fatal shootings

11:32 am on 12 December 2003

Police in Solomon Islands have arrested a former commander of Papua New Guinea's Bougainville Revolutionary Army over the killing of four people in Gizo three years ago.

Greg Luavex was taken to a court in Gizo where he was charged before being flown to the capital, Honiara, in the custody of the regional assistance mission, or RAMSI.

Luavex has reportedly admitted to his involvement in the fatal shooting of two Solomon Islanders and two Bougainvilleans in their hotel rooms at a Gizo hotel.

Luavex is the first Bougainvillean to be arrested in Solomon Islands since the arrival of RAMSI.

His arrest comes only days after villagers from the border area between Solomon Islands and Bougainville told RAMSI that they feared weapons were still being trafficked across the sea border.

An Australian ship, HMAS Gladstone, is currently on patrol in the area.