Solomon Islands Attorney-General Julian Moti [File photo].
Last Update: Tuesday, October 3, 2006. 8:00pm (AEST)

Moti unseen as extradition row continues

There is still no sign of the Solomon Islands Attorney-General, Julian Moti, in Port Moresby this evening as the Australian Federal Police (AFP) seeks to extradite him to Australia to face alleged child sex offences.

The Solomons Foreign Minister has told Parliament in Honiara that Mr Moti is being protected by the Solomon Islands High Commission in Port Moresby.

However, there was no sign of the Attorney-General at the High Commission with telephone calls and door knocks by the ABC going unanswered.

The PNG court has ruled Mr Moti be returned to custody however the PNG Government says Australia did not follow the correct channels in seeking Mr Moti's arrest.

No PNG police officers were present at the Solomon High Commission compound today.

The tensions between Australia and the Solomon Islands have flared again with the Pacific nation steadfastly refusing demands it hand over the newly appointed Attorney-General to face child sex charges in Australia.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says Australia will not back away from its demands that he be handed over to face charges in Australia.

"We shouldn't - just for the sake of having nice dialogue with another country - buckle on something serious like this," Mr Downer said.

A Solomon Islands diplomat in Australia, John Walton Wasi says it is a difficult issue because Mr Moti is an Australian citizen but also a Solomons Government official.

"The Solomons Islands is looking around at a way to resolve the issue because he is the appointed Attorney-General," he said.

Mr Walton Wasi says his government is also working with PNG officials to find a solution.