9 Oct 2006

Julian Moti continues to try to avoid extradition to Australia

5:44 am on 9 October 2006

The controversial new attorney general of Solomon Islands, Julian Moti, remains at that country's High Commission in PNG in an effort to avoid extradition to Australia.

The Australian lawyer is wanted in connection with alleged sex offences against a 13-year-old girl in Vanuatu in 1997.

He sought refuge in the high commission in the PNG capital after skipping bail to avoid extradition proceedings

The Solomons High Commissioner to PNG, Bernard Bata'anisia, has told the AAP news agency that Mr Moti was still at the high commission waiting for advice from Honiara.

The Solomons government accuses Canberra of pursuing Mr Moti for political reasons to prevent him taking up the position of attorney-general.