21 Nov 2008

Solomons police arrest fourth suspect in relation to 2002 Dereni murders

11:11 am on 21 November 2008

Solomon Islands police have arrested a fourth man in relation to the murders of four people in a roadside ambush that occurred at Dereni in east Guadalcanal in September 2002.

The Solomon Star newspaper reports that a 30-year-old man surrendered to detectives from the Serious Crime Squad at the weekend.

He has been charged with four counts of murder.

Three other men have been charged this year by the Serious Crime Squad for their alleged involvement in the attack.

Four people were killed in the ambush when a vehicle transporting two dozen people including women and children to Ngorou Clinic was set upon by people armed with rifles and a sawn off shotgun.

The man appeared in the Honiara Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

He is expected to re-appear in court today.