Officers of the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara have arrested a 44-year-old man following an allegation of spreading rumours on social media about COVID-19 in the Solomon Islands.
The suspect had posted information on his Facebook (FB) page saying there was already a case of COVID-19 in the Solomon Islands. There is currently no positive COVID-19 case in the Solomon Islands.
Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) Crime and Intelligence Patricia Leta says, “The suspect has been charged for spreading false rumours under section 63 of the Penal Code.”
“It is a serious offence to spread false rumours that cause public disharmony. So be careful and make sure your facts are correct before disseminating any information for public consumption especially on FB,” AC Leta emphasises.
“The alleged suspect has been released on bail to appear in court for mention on 14 April 2020,” says AC Leta.
– Police Media