Solomon Islands police are investigating last weekend's sudden death of a police inspector who had reported being threatened.
Inspector Alick Sarere was in command of the police launch which brought murder suspect Edmund Sae back to Honiara from Auki on Malaita two weeks ago.
Sae, a regular police sergeant, is charged with the murder of former police commissioner and peace councillor, Sir Frederick Soaki.
Police sources say members of the arresting team have been threatened and have been forced to change phone numbers.
Deputy police commissioner, John Homelo, says that is not correct, but he confirms that Inspector Sarere had told colleagues of threats before sailing to Auki.
Mr Homelo says there have been rumours that he had been poisoned.
