Thirteen citizens charge for illegal border crossing

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Gizo and Noro Police Station in the Western Province have charged 13 defendants out of the 17 who cross the Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI) border to Buin last month.

They were charged with one count of restriction of movement of small craft vessels contrary to clause 4 (b) and (c) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (Restriction of Movement of Small Craft Vessels) (Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea Border) Order 2020, to be read with Regulation 17 (1), (a) (i) and (3) of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.3) Regulation 2021.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Western Province Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu said that the 13 defendants were released on strict bail conditions while waiting to appear in court on 18th April 2022.

Chief Superintendent Lenialu said communities have to be responsible and take ownership through changing their attitude. We are not in normal times. If we decide to ignore the regulations then we will face the consequences.