Hearing done, judgment next
THE fate of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Robson Djokovic related to his citizenship status will be known next.
This paper understands that Mr Djokovic travels using an Australian passport.
This followed the completion of a hearing on the issue of Djokovic’s citizenship on Thursday in the High Court.
Djokovic is seeking a declaration to the court that as an indigenous Solomon Islander, his citizenship is automatic regardless of whether he holds citizenship in another country.
Attorney General (AG) who acts on behalf of the Citizenship Commission however argued that because Djokovic holds an Australian passport he lost his citizenship.
Justice Howard Lawry who hears the arguments reserved his judgment.
No date has been set for the judgment.
The outcome of Djokovic’s citizenship will determine his matter of alleged breach of the electoral act that is with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Police investigated Djokovic’s citizenship and his registration to vote in last year’s National General Election.
Djokovic whose father is an Australian and his mother from Choiseul Province in the Solomon Islands is the nephew of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Police alleged he holds an Australian passport, making him an Australian citizen.
Djokovic, 46, has been issued two-year exemption visas since 2013 to work and live here.
His current exemption visa was issued in April this year and will expire in May 2021.
Police launched the investigation after complaints were made by the Opposition.
Wilson Rano of Rano & Company represents Djokovic.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
