17 Sep 2004

Jailed Solomons ex-militants reportedly get huge payments

2:44 pm on 17 September 2004

Reports from Solomon Islands say the provincial government of Guadalcanal has recently paid large sums of money to the former premier and former militants, including Harold Keke who is in jail.

Sources say the former premier, Ezekiel Alebua, received more than 40,000 US dollars while Keke and his brother, Joseph Sangu, were each given more than 25,000 US dollars.

Solomon Islands radio says the current premier has declined to say why the payments were made.

The money was reportedly from funds released to the Guadalcanal government by the national administration.