15 Jan 2014

Five arrested over logging vandalism in Solomons but priest elusive

3:16 pm on 15 January 2014

Solomon Islands police in Temotu province have arrested five people in relation to vandalism of logging machinery and vehicles on Vanikoro last month.

The Solomon Star reports the provincial police commander Alfred Uiga saying Lata police have remanded the suspects in custody, along with another man arrested before them.

However, the Anglican priest, alleged to have led the group of landowners, remains at large and Mr Uiga says if he continues to hide police will hunt him down to ensure justice prevails.

Initial estimates of the damage caused to equipment, vehicles and machinery owned by the Malaysian logging company Jaya Berjaya amount to almost 140,000 US dollars.