Australia's extradition attempt of Solomons attorney-general politically motivated: Sogavare

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has accused Australia's demanding Solomons new attorney-general being extradited on child sex charges is politically motivated, Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio reported Wednesday.

Sogavare's comments came amid a diplomatic row between the two countries sparked by the expulsion of Australian high commissioner from the Pacific island country last month.

Australia is demanding the Solomon Islands government hand over Julian Moti, an Australian citizen, who is taking diplomatic refuge in the Solomon Islands High Commission in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since jumping bail last weekend

Moti was appointed as the Solomons attorney-general on Sept. 21 and was arrested earlier last week in PNG at the request of the Australian government.

Sogavare stood by Moti's appointment as the country's attorney- general.

"Moti's appointment stands," Sogavare said in a statement Wednesday.

"I will not be swayed by the attempts of Australia to keep Moti away from coming to take up his appointment," he said.

Moti is a close personal friend of Sogavare and is believed to have advised the prime minister to set up a controversial commission of inquiry into April's riots in the Solomon Islands.

The Australian government held serious concerns that the commission would undermine court cases against two Solomons MPs, who are Sogavare's allies and are accused of inciting the riots, and shift blame onto police, including Australian officers serving in the country.

Australia has insisted it had followed proper procedures in seeking the arrest and extradition of Moti.

Source: Xinhua