THE alleged Militia leader of an integrated group of former militants from the defunct Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) and Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) accused of planning to burn down state-owned properties has been released on a $3,000 cash bail, Tuesday.
John Damusi, 53, is facing four counts of Conspiracy to Commit an Offence, contrary to sections 19, and 3 (1) (A) of the Counter-Terrorism Act of 2009.
He was released with strict bail conditions.
One of the bail conditions restricts him from holding meetings with former militants from the ethnic tension era aimed at creating instability in Honiara and elsewhere in the country.
A curfew was also imposed on him from 6pm to 6am.
His matter will be mentioned again in the Honiara Magistrate Court on June 23 before Principal Magistrate, Tearo Beneteti.
This is for the prosecution to update the court on the status of their investigation into the matter.
Last Friday, it was heard in court that investigation into this matter is continuing.
Damusi is alleged to be the leader of former militants from the defunct Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) and Istabu Freedom Movement (IFM) that planned to burn down the Mamara Housing Estate Development Building and attack other state-owned properties on 15 May 2023.
The prosecution also alleged that Damusi facilitated several meetings with MEF and IFM, some of which, he himself chaired and at least one of which, was conducted at his residence in Northwest Guadalcanal.
The meetings were allegedly to discuss the grievances of former militants – their displeasure with former and current governments’ for prolonging the addressing of their rehabilitation claims.
During the meetings, it was alleged that the group discussed several action plans to destroy and damage by fire critical infrastructures owned by the state.
However, their plans did not eventuate and shortly later, police arrested, charged and remanded Damusi following the allegations.
Other suspects were however, released on police bail, pending investigations.
Public Solicitor, George Gray, represents Damusi, whilst the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Rachel Olutimayin, appears for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
