Solomons ex-law chief extradited

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The former Attorney General of the Solomon Islands, Julian Moti, is being extradited to Australia to face child sex charges.

Mr Moti, an Australian citizen, is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Vanuatu a decade ago. He denies the allegation.

Australian police have been pursuing him across the South Pacific.

The net closed briefly last year when Mr Moti was detained at Canberra's request in Papua New Guinea.

He skipped bail and was given a safe haven in the Solomon Islands by his close friend, the former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

His decision to appoint Mr Moti as attorney-general infuriated Australia and relations between the two countries quickly soured.

Change of government

The removal of the Sogavare government following a parliamentary vote of no confidence earlier this month has allowed Australian investigators to finally get their man.

Mr Sogavare had a strained relationship with Australia

The new leadership in the Solomon Islands said it would deport the fugitive lawyer.

He was arrested at his home in the capital Honiara and put on a flight to Brisbane.

Mr Moti was previously cleared of any wrongdoing by a jury in Vanuatu.

Australia refuses to recognise the court's decision and has demanded that Mr Moti be sent home to face justice.