23 Aug 2004

Solomons' police won't comment on action following false rape claims by RAMSI officer

7:18 am on 23 August 2004

Solomon Island police have refused to say if any action will be taken against an Australian military officer who made false rape allegations.

The woman -- who was part of RAMSI -- had alleged in April that she was abducted by three men armed with a rifle and a machete.

More than 100 police and military personnel were involved in an investigation which lasted several weeks.

Don Wiseman reports:.

"When the claim was made the Solomon Islands prime minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, demanded that those responsible should face the full force of the law."

The officer claimed to have been raped but she recanted her story to admit that when she was found in a distressed state away from her base she had left the camp of her own free will.

A joint investigation concluded that no crime was committed and no unsolved crime should be recorded on the public record.

It has not been revealed why she was distressed.

The officer has been repatriated to Australia and it's understood she has been give counselling.

Solomon Islands police won't say if charges will be laid for making a false complaint or wasting the resources of the police sent to Honiara to establish law and order.