A group of residents of Nende Island in the Solomon Islands claim corrupt government practices allowed a logging company to get a license to log the island’s primary forests, as well as cropland. Activists also allege the company, Malaysia-based Xiang Lin SI Ltd, logged outside of its concession area. Clement Tauto, Jerry Meioko, Philix Nina, Titus Godfrey Meoblir and Simon Meabir, also known as the “Nende Five,” say they were never given an opportunity to object to the logging of their land, and Xiang Lin proceeded without obtaining the consent of the majority of residents. The protesters say they tried to stop the logging through legal processes. When heavy equipment was destroyed last year, the Nende Five were taken into custody. However, they say they’re innocent of the charges against them. Their trial has been adjourned 29 times for lack of evidence, and was vacated for some time after two days in court due to allegations that the police had not followed due process in obtaining evidence from one of the defendants. In June 2020, three of the five were acquitted based on lack of evidence. However, in July 2020 the magistrate decided to uphold charges against the two remaining defendants. Jerry Meioko was convicted on charges of larceny and unlawful damage while Clement Tauto became the only defendant to be convicted of arson, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Their convictions were based on confessions, which advocates say were made under duress.