Solomons attorney-general escapes from PNG: Australian FM

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Tuesday said the Solomon Islands attorney- general has arrived in the Solomon Islands after escaping from Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Downer said Julian Moti, an Australian lawyer, has returned home in a chartered plane, Australian Broadcasting Corporation ( ABC) radio reported.

Moti has been detained and is being questioned by police of the Solomon Islands and Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, according to ABC radio.

He is reported to have been on board a PNG Defense Force plane that landed at the Munda airfield in the Solomons western province.

Moti was appointed as the Solomons attorney-general on September 21 and was arrested a week later in PNG at the request of the Australian government. Australia is seeking to have him extradited to face child sex charges.

He had been taking diplomatic refuge in the Solomon Islands High Commission in PNG's capital of Port Moresby since jumping bail more than a week ago.

Downer said Australia will continue to pursue Moti.

"In this country we regard child sex charges as an extraordinarily serious matter," he said.

"We will continue to lobby the Solomon Islands Government to get this person handed over so he can face justice in Australia," he said.

Source: Xinhua