The Supreme Court in Vanuatu has sentenced four men to prison after finding them guilty of assaulting and kidnapping a woman who had criticised the behaviour of transport providers on Facebook.
The vans that make up Port Vila's bus service line up along the main street. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
Pierre Noel has been sentenced to two years imprisonment for kidnapping and nine months for assault.
Ben Koro, Glen Kovoi and Michael Samuel have received one year and nine months each for the same charges.
In March, Florence Lengkon was forcefully removed from her office and beaten after criticising the aggressive behaviour of some bus and taxi drivers on Facebook after they had thrown stones at another bus carrying tourists.
The drivers were competing to carry tourists around Port Vila's wharf.
Miss Lengkon told the Daily Post Newspaper that she welcomes the decision and calls on all men to respect women.
She also encourages other female victims of violence not to be afraid to lay complaints.
Miss Lengkon says the court ruling has proved that the justice system is working.
Initially seven men had been charged with kidnapping and assaulting Miss Lengkon but last month three bus drivers were acquitted of those charges.
