Solomons tougher penalties for leaders

07/09/2008 08:18:10

A Solomon Islands based transparency group says it's ludicrous to suggest the country's leaders should be immune from criminal prosecution.

The comments follow the 18 month jail sentence handed to Environment Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza, for intimidation and larceny convictions.

The Chairman of Transparency Solomon Islands, Bob Pollard, says it's encouraging that parliamentarians who commit crimes are being made to face justice.

"Certainly we are finding there's been more MPs that are being prosecuted. I think one thing is clear - the judicial system and the law and justice has certainly been tightened and I think that's a really good sign for the country to ensure that we're all accountable to the law."

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