Angry: Sir Michael says Australia has not used the correct channels in the bid to arrest Mr Moti. [File photo]
Last Update: Thursday, October 5, 2006. 9:48am (AEST)

PNG lashes out over Moti stand-off

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, has criticised Australia for trying to extradite Solomon Islands Attorney-General Julian Moti from Port Moresby.

Australia is seeking to extradite Mr Moti to face alleged child sex offences but it is understood Mr Moti has taken refuge in the Solomon Islands High Commission.

Sir Michael is angry Australia asked the PNG police to intercept and arrest Mr Moti.

"Who are they listening to? Who is commanding them to take the orders? It certainly didn't come from the Commissioner of Police," he said.

Sir Michael says Australia has not gone through the correct channels in seeking Mr Moti's extradition.

He says Mr Moti should be free to leave Port Moresby for Honiara, despite a court ruling he should be brought into custody.

"If he's an Australian passport holder, then Australia deals with that problem," Sir Michael said.

"He was only passing through us."

There has been confusion over whether Mr Moti has been stripped of his post since Australia sought to extradite him.

However, Solomons Islands Prime Minister Menessah Sogavare says Mr Moti is still the country's Attorney-General and Australia should stop bullying its south Pacific neighbours.