Julian Moti is driven from the Solomons High Commission in Papua New Guinea.
Last Update: Thursday, October 5, 2006. 5:23pm (AEST)

Solomons A-G filmed leaving High Commission

The Solomon Islands Attorney-General, Julian Moti, has been seen leaving the Solomons High Commission in Port Moresby.

An ABC camerman filmed him as he sped away from the building.

Mr Moti is an Australian lawyer appointed as the Solomons highest legal officer and is wanted on paedophilia charges in Australia.

Australia has been seeking to have him extradited to face child sex charges.

The ABC's PNG correspondent Steve Marshall says at the moment Mr Moti is free to leave.

"The Solomons Government is working urgently to provide Mr Moti a new passport, obviously Australia cancelled his passport," he said.

"But there's a flight tomorrow morning from Port Moresby to Honiara and it will be very interesting to see if Mr Moti is on board that."

Mr Moti left the High Commission in a white car, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and dark trousers.

He held up his hand as a cameraman approached and then made a 'no worries' gesture with the same hand.

Meanwhile, the federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has defended the extradition process authorities have followed in order to force Mr Moti to face court in Australia.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has criticised Australia over the extradition attempt.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said Mr Moti was free to leave for the Solomon Islands as Australia had not followed the correct procedure.

He said the extradition of Mr Moti was not PNG's concern.

Earlier, the Federal Government said it remained hopeful PNG would recognise the seriousness of the allegations against Mr Moti and extradite him to Australia to face charges.

A spokesman for Justice Minister, Chris Ellison, says ultimately the decision is a matter for PNG law-makers.

The Federal Government said it was confident the extradition request followed due process and had hoped a decision would be made without regard to political influences.