Ex-Solomon Islands provincial leader and China critic charged for organising unlawful protests

Outspoken former Malaita province premier Daniel Suidani has been arrested and charged in relation to unlawful assemblies and protests in 2021.

In a statement on Friday, police said a Malaita provincial leader was arrested, along with his then political advisor on Thursday.

Although police did not name the men, RNZ Pacific understands they are the former Premier Suidani and his advisor Celsus Talifilu.

Both man are alleged to have masterminded a number of unlawful assemblies and protests in Auki, Malaita Provincial capital, in 2021 and have been released on bail, police said.

In late November 2021, Honiara descended into chaos, when the protesters from Malaita travelled to the capital in Guadalcanal province.

The protesters called for the then prime minister Manasseh Sogavare to step down.

When he refused what followed was three days of looting and burning of shops owned by the Chinese community in Honiara's Chinatown.

Three people died and hundreds of businesses were destroyed, putting over 1000 people out of work, with the damages estimated to be more than US$60 mllion ($SBD500m).

Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence, Patricia Leta, said the duo face three counts of unlawful assembly, contrary to section 74 and section 21 of the Solomon Islands Penal Code.

From 2019 until his removal as premier in a motion of no confidence in 2023, Suidani openly criticised the national government for cutting ties with Taiwan and establishing bilateral relations with China.

His unprecedented rebellion against Honiara had a groundswell of public support that made it difficult for the national government to discipline him.

Suidani supporters have accused the national government of bankrolling the motion of no confidence that eventually removed him. An allegation that Honiara has denied.

He was reelected in the election this year as a Malaita provincial member for West Baegu/ Fataleka ward.

Speaking to RNZ Pacific from Honiara, Suidani said police asked him in the interview if he was guilty of the charges to which he replied he was not.

"I am going to fight the charges," he said, adding "from my understanding these charges have nothing to do with me", reiterating "I will be fighting these charges in court."

'We must fight'

He believes charges brought against him are politically motivated.

Suidani said he was asked to go into the Rove Police Headquarters for an "interview" but was arrested on arrival and charged.

He said it was obvious from their line of questioning police were trying to tie the case to his political views.

"When the question me they always referred to 'after the switch' you were masterminding and every question the police asked me they always refer to as 'after the switch' so I can understand that they want to drive these allegations to connect with the switch from ROC to PRC."

He added he would not be swayed from his political stance by the latest attempts to prosecute him.

"We must fight for this freedom, the democracy. We might change leaders but we want the system to remain that is what I always hold close to my heart so I will be still standing for the rights of my people."