Solomons commission announces attorney-general's suspension

CANBERRA - The Solomon Islands Public Service Commission on Thursday announced the suspension of the attorney- general who is believed to be protected by the Solomon Islands government.

Julian Moti, an Australian lawyer, was appointed as the Solomons attorney-general on September 21 and was arrested earlier last week in Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the request of the Australian government. Australia wants him to be extradited to face child sex charges.

Australia is demanding the Solomon Islands government hand over Moti, who is taking diplomatic refuge in the Solomon Islands high commission in PNG since jumping bail last weekend.

The Solomons Judicial and Legal Service Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Albert Palmer, on Wednesday referred Moti to the Public Service Commission for immediate suspension because of the charges against him, the Australian Associated Press reported Thursday.

The Public Service Commission on Thursday announced Moti's suspension as attorney-general following an urgent meeting to discuss the recommendation from the judicial commission.

Public Service Commission chairman Edmund Andresen said Moti was suspended without pay.

Moti is a close personal friend of Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh 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.