TONGA not yet prepared to lift the immunity

Tongan Prime Minister, Tonga is not prepared to life the immunity.(Pic: supplied)

Editor's Desk

TONGA said it is not yet prepared to lift the immunity of its soldiers who were involved in the recent shooting death of a Guadalcanal man at Titinge on the outskirts of Honiara.

Two Tongan soldiers who were part of RAMSI reportedly fired their weapons while they were retreating from a rock throwing mob at Titigae last week.

One man died of gunshot wounds.

Local police are investigating but they cannot question the soldiers unless the Tongan government waives their right to immunity from prosecution.

But Tongan prime minister and acting minister of defence Dr Feleti Sevele said he’s not yet prepared to lift the soldiers' immunity while the incident is being investigated.

“The details are that they shot into the air to disperse the crowd but the attacks continue and suddenly this happened.

“We don't know the full story, we have sent the deputy commander of our defence forces plus our solicitor general to find out more information about it.”

The two Tongan officials, who arrived on Tuesday, are meeting with various people in Honiara this week.

Attempts to reach them yesterday proved futile.