30 Nov 2010

Solomon fisheries minister to be sentenced

9:53 am on 30 November 2010

The Solomon Islands Fisheries Minister Jimmy Lusibaea is expected to be sentenced on assault charges in the next few hours.

That follows the former militia leader's guilty plea to counts of unlawfully wounding another person and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duties during the ethnic tensions.

A spokesperson for the Solomon Islands government earlier said Mr Lusibaea will be legally forced to leave parliament if he receives a sentence of six months or more and a by-election would be held.

Police say security will be stepped up for the sentencing in Honiara following threats of a riot.