29 Aug 2006

Solomons plot to kill Kemakeza revealed in court

4:16 pm on 29 August 2006

A plot to kill the former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza and three members of his government has been revealed in court.

The three former ministers are Peter Boyers, Laurie Chan and Snyder Rini, who was elected Prime Minister on April the 18th but resigned a few days later.

The plot was revealed in court when one of the alleged conspirators, former politician Alex Bartlett, was charged with a count of conspiracy to commit felony.

Bartlett, who was Sir Allan's foreign minister after the 2001 election, was refused bail.

The other alleged conspirators include M-Ps Nelson Ne'e and Charles Dausabea who are both in remand on charges of inciting the Honiara riots.

The court was told that the group, which included a former Honiara City Mayor David Dausabea, had met five days before the riots.

The prosecution is relying on statements from a Willie Titia who claims he was present at the meeting.

Our correspondent, Dorothy Wickham, says the plotters are also alleged to have planned material destruction.

"They were planning to destroy Chinatown because they alleged that the Chinese were backing the Kemakeza government which Mr Snyder Rini was nominated by and then also to destroy the Pacific Casino Hotel because it was taking away business from the Honiara Casino."

Dorothy Wickham.

The two M-Ps, Ne'e and Charles Dausabea, are expected to be charged tomorrow with a count each of conspiracy to commit felony.

David Dausabea is also in custody and was formally charged today.