Solomon Islands police search journalist's office

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has condemned the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) following the questioning and office search of investigative reporter Gina Maka’a. Maka’a, an investigative journalist for In-depth Solomons, was targeted in an attempt to identify a government whistleblower used in a previous report.

The previous investigation revealed a $10 billion tax discrepancy involving the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco. During the recent incident in Honiara, police presented a search warrant containing incorrect names and addresses, yet proceeded to search Maka’a’s office for confidential documents.

Maka’a refused to name her source or surrender her phone and laptop to authorities. This police action follows reporting by In-depth Solomons that contributed to the suspension of Police Chief Ian Vaevaso approximately two months ago.