24 Aug 2004

Solomons police to charge inmates over Rove riot

1:43 pm on 24 August 2004

Police in Solomon Islands will over the next few weeks be laying criminal charges against those prisoners who assaulted some prisoner officers during the recent riot at the Rove Central Prison.

The Assistant Special Coordinator of RAMSI, Peter Noble, says there were also other incidents involving alleged assault a few days before the riot.

"There was an incident, there's been several incidents of assault, as well, and in previous days, and we'll be looking at that as well. It's quite possible that criminal charges will be laid, and some of those prisoners will appear in court again to face those charges."

Mr Noble says when investigations have been completed, it is hoped it will reveal who were the prisoners behind the incident.

Sources say one RAMSI investigator was flown to Australia after he was attacked in the jail but RAMSI has denied this happened.

RAMSI did confirm that two AusAID advisers were attacked in the prison.

Meanwhile, the final report on the security assessment of the prison system is expected to be completed this week and handed to the government and RAMSI.