Police have beefed up security in Honiara as sentencing of Jimmy Lusibaea nears.
Police officers have blocked off the road leading to King Solomon Hotel and have increased police presence around the High Court area.Mr. Lusibaea's supporters are reportedly unhappy with the court's decision to remand him in custody after he pleaded guilty to assault charges last week.
The offences of unlawful wounding and assaulting a police officer in execution of his duty occurred in 2000 during the ethnic tensions.
The once controversial figure recently won the North Malaita seat with a huge majority in August's national election and was appointed Fisheries Minister.
Submissions will be presented both by the prosecution and the defense counsel before Justice David Cameron delivers the sentence later this afternoon.