17 Jan 2014

Solomons police under fire from family after New Year death in custody

9:29 am on 17 January 2014

The family of a Solomon Islands man who died in police custody on New Year's day are demanding $138 thousand US dollars from the police.

The Solomon Star reports Ronisi David was arrested at Henderson's cross-road on New Year's night when police arrived to investigate an illegal road block.

He was found dead hours later in police custody.

Relatives say the man was working at a nearby building as a security guard when police arrested him.

A close relative, Badley Baega, says Mr David was not responsible for the road block.

Mr Baega says he has met with the acting police commissioner Juanita Matanga and her executive, who offered $11,000 US dollars. But Mr Baega says the family rejected the offer.

He says the police used unnecessary force on an innocent person, who was responsible for the welfare of his immediate family, being a young carpenter.

The Solomon Star reports the Ministry of Police has already paid $2,700 US dollars to the family immediately after the New Year's incident.

The death is still under investigation.