Solomon Islands, Australia: Fugitive sworn in as Solomons AG

Julian Moti was sworn in as attorney general of the Solomon Islands on the afternoon of July 10th.  Moti is an Australian-born lawyer who is facing charges for child sex offenses in his native Australia.  The charges come under the Australian Crimes Act of 1914 and the Child Sex Tourism amendment of 1994.  He is alleged to have raped a 13-year-old girl in Vanatau in 1997.

Moti originally fled to Papua New Guinea, where he remained until last October, when extradition arrangements were being made.  A PNG military plane, on orders from PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare, flew Moti to the Solomons.  Australia has demanded that the Solomons return Moti to face the charges against him, and this is the source of the extremely strained relations between the two nations.

Although Moti was appointed as attorney general last year, the Public Service Commission moved to block his appointment, suspending him.  This swearing-in comes close on the heels of a government announcement that the acting attorney general's contract would be renewed for another six months.  The Public Service Commission retains its objections to the appointment and will continue to challenge it, and considers Moti's suspension to stand.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare considers Moti's arrest in PNG and suspension by the Public Service Commission to both be illegal.  He had some choice words for the media present at the swearing-in ceremony, saying that the media would "do what they do best -- writing wrongs so [he is] left with no rights."

The governor-general, Sir Nathaniel Waena, read a statement at the swearing-in detailing the sequence of events and saying that he had received legal advice from the acting attorney general that the swearing-in would be legal.  Moti stated that he has already submitted all of the factual evidence regarding the charges against him and that he is leaving the case to the authorities.

Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard, said of the situation, "It is a very provocative and insensitive thing for somebody who is wanted on a criminal charge in this country to be sworn in as the attorney general."  Howard also said, "The first law officer of the Crown is apparently going to be someone who is what?  Wanted on a child sex offense?" reports Radio Australia.

Please see also:
"Moti takes oath today"  Solomon Star Newspaper  10 July 2007
"Moti sworn-in as Solomons attorney-general"  Radio Australia  10 July 2007
"PM condemns appointment of fugitive"  Sydney Morning Herald  10 July 2007
"Fugitive to be sworn in as Solomons top attorney"  Pacific Islands Report  10 July 2007
"Fugitive to be made Solomons A-G"  The Australian  09 July 2007

Please note that the article from Pacific Islands Report is a reprinted article from Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, originally published with that organization on 09 July 2007.