28 Aug 2007

Solomons PM defends Moti actions

1:03 pm on 28 August 2007

The Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, says he expected Attorney-General Julian Moti to be put on a normal flight to Honiara last year from Papua New Guinea.

Mr Moti instead arrived on a controversial clandestine flight to Munda on a Papua New Guinea Defence Force aircraft.

The newspaper, Solomon Star, says an angry Mr Sogavare told Parliament that Mr Moti was illegally arrested and detained in Papua New Guinea at Australia's instigation.

Mr Sogavare said everything that was done to Mr Moti was illegal.

Mr Sogavare said he will be taking Australia to the International Court of Justice over its continuing efforts to arrest and charge Mr Moti.