Julian Moti leaves the Solomon Islands High Commission building in Port Moresby.
Last Update: Thursday, October 5, 2006. 8:28pm (AEST)

Moti appointment suspended amid criminal charges in Aust

The Solomon Islands Attorney-General, Julian Moti, has been suspended from his job on the orders of the country's Chief Justice.

Mr Moti has spent much of this week in the Solomon Islands High Commission building in Port Moresby as Australian officials sought to extradite him to face child sex charges.

Earlier today, Mr Moti left the building after Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said he was free to leave.

It is understood the Solomon Islands Government is urgently working on issuing Mr Moti another passport.

The Solomon Islands Public Service Commission confirmed it had decided to suspend Mr Moti following a recommendation from the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.

In Honiara, Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer says he recommended Mr Moti be suspended as the justice system had to be seen to be above reproach.

He says it is difficult when a high office holder is facing serious criminal charges in his homeland.

Earlier this week, Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare insisted the judicial commission could only act on his advice when revoking an appointment.